Soaps run for so long that trying to work out how many actors have passed through the swinging door of stardom and infamy is a thankless, mountainous task. However, sometimes, someone comes along and almost becomes the show. Ken Barlow and Bet Lynch on Corrie… Dirty Den and Ian Beale on Th’enders… Jimmy Corkill on Brookie… and of course, Harold Bishop on Neighbours (Five, 1.45pm/5.30pm). Well, today, Neighbours fans we bid a fond farewell to Ian Smith, as today is the transmission of his last ever stint on Ramsey Street.

Related: Harold Bishop to leave Neighbours | Why I Love… Harold Bishop

In his time on Neighbours, Harold has had quite a colourful life. Getting washed away and presumed dead in the surf, his legendary ding-dongs with Madge, the trials and tribulations of his life with estranged daughter Kerry, a stroke, his double act with Lou at the Coffee Shop (which amusingly played out a ‘Are they getting off with each other?’ storyline), his dealing with the plane crash, his trying to kill Paul Robinson and latest, a cancer storyline. Yep, Harold has lived a fair bit for a fuddy-duddy.

Harold Bishop is the longest serving character in the history of the show and it’s a shame that, since the show moved to Five, audiences have dwindled. It’s just not the same having commercial breaks in Neighbours is it?

That said, this whole article is giving you the nod to watch it one last time… to see Harold’s departure and wave goodbye to a small screen icon. You may have gone off Neighbours or maybe not found the time for it recently, but you really should see Harold off… perhaps when he’s gone you should do an impression of him… “Ah…” or “Bwrwrw”? Ian Smith, enjoy the time off.