Harold Bishop

Harold Wayne Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Smith. The actor was offered the role by the show's creator and executive producer Reg Watson.
 Smith made his first screen appearance as Harold during the episode 
broadcast on 30 January 1987. He departed in September 1991, but 
returned five years later in October 1996. Harold remained on screen for
 over twelve years, making him one of the longest-running characters in 
the show's history.
Smith announced his departure from Neighbours in August 2008. 
Following a cancer storyline, Harold made his final appearance on 27 
February 2009. In December 2010, Smith revealed that he would be 
reprising his role and Harold returned on 9 May 2011. During his brief 
return stint, Harold married Carolyn Johnstone (Paula Duncan),
 a storyline that was suggested by Smith. The character of Harold has 
been well received by critics and Smith earned various award nominations
 for his performance, including the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television Logie Award. Harold returned again in February 2015, ahead of the show's 30th anniversary.
== Development ==
=== Characterisation ===
In his fictional backstory, Harold was a stock and station agent, who married a woman called Mavis. The couple had two children, David (Kevin Harrington) and Kerry (Linda Hartley-Clark).[9]
 After Mavis's death, Harold was left to cope with his teenage children 
alone. He had a close relationship with David, but Kerry rebelled 
against Harold's conservative ways and she left to travel the world. 
David later moved to Adelaide.[9]
Harold is described as being "indecisive, considerate, stuffy and reserved."[10] Harold is a Christian and never misses church on Sunday, he was also once an "enthusiastic" Scout leader.[10] Due to his ways, Harold would not live with Madge Ramsay (Anne Charleston) until they were married.[10] Virgin Media said Harold is "prim and proper" and "an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy."[11]
 They also state he is the complete opposite of Madge and add he is 
"famed for his vegetarian ways, tee-total habits and fastidiousness and 
moralising"[11] Harold's hobbies include playing the tuba, giving his time to the Salvation Army and birdwatching.[8][12] He once had a comedic alter ego named "Afro Harold."[8] Smith told Inside Soap in 1999 that Harold's "pessimism and pontificating" really got to him, but he agreed with Harold's moral outlook on life.[13]
In 2003, Harold suffered a stroke and his personality changed. He 
left the Salvation Army, became a "peeping tom", started drinking 
alcohol and he pinched Izzy Hoyland's (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) bottom.[8][14]
 Smith researched strokes and how they affect a person's psyche after 
becoming concerned that Harold's behaviour would stretch his character's
 credibility too much.[8] Harold later recovered and returned to his previous ways.[14] Network Ten dubbed Harold the "undisputed patriarch of Erinsborough" and the heart and soul of the community.[9]
=== Friendship with Lou Carpenter ===
Lou Carpenter was initially Harold's "nemesis" and rival for Madge's affections.[14] They had both fallen for Madge while they were all at school together.[15] Lou arrives in Ramsay Street to steal Madge from Harold before she marries him, but he cannot stop the wedding and he leaves.[15]
 Lou later returns and becomes friends with Harold. Oliver said that 
some reviewers had likened Lou and Harold's relationship to Laurel and Hardy and The Odd Couple.[15] The Courier-Mail said Harold and Lou's friendship was one of their favourite "bromances" on television.[16]
 They said their most bromantic moment was "When Harold returned to 
Erinsborough, after being feared drowned for many years, he had no 
memory of his old life. But when Lou served him jelly one night Harold 
suddenly remembered how Lou used to tease him at school by calling him 
"Jelly Belly" and, presto, his memory was restored."[16] Harold is imprisoned after a case of mistaken identity and Lou raises the money for his bail.[17]
Harold later donates a kidney to Lou and they go into business together, founding the General Store.[14] Harold and Lou both fall for Rosie Hoyland (Maggie Millar), which leads to some arguments and Harold destroying a love letter from Lou to Rosie.[16] When Gino Esposito (Shane McNamara)
 moves in with Harold, the writers decided to tweak the "standard love 
triangle story" with Lou becoming jealous of the Gino and Harold's 
friendship.[18] Harold and Gino get along very well and share a love of Broadway musical DVDs.[18] Of this, Peter Mattessi of The Age
 said "The tension this created between Lou and Harold ("same-sex 
platonic life-partners", according to Toadie) was a wonderful 
storytelling twist, and the innuendo made Gino's sexuality clear to 
those in the know, yet avoided the questions from younger viewers which 
would jeopardise the G rating."[18]
 After Smith announced his departure in 2008, Oliver was asked if Lou 
would be sad about his best friend's exit and he said "Oh yes, 
definitely, but the old rascals keep in touch all the time. It was a sad
 farewell. Not just in character, but for me and Ian [Smith] too".[15]
=== Cancer and departure ===
In August 2008, it was announced that Smith had quit Neighbours.[19]
 Paula Lucarelli of Network Ten said "When the discussions were made 
about his decision to go part-time last year, he said it was only going 
to be for a short time and then he would let us know. Production was 
aware that it would be coming."[19] Smith began filming his final scenes in October of that year for a departure in February 2009.[19] Smith revealed that he quit Neighbours, so he could travel more and because he was getting "ongoing abuse" from local people.[5][7]
 He explained "You know it's time to move on when you're being hassled 
outside your home every night by drunk idiots screaming abuse. I got so 
fed up I ended up calling the police. They were making my life hell."[7]
Chris Irvine from The Daily Telegraph reported that Harold would leave Erinsborough after winning a fight with prostate cancer.[19] After Harold returned from a road trip, he accompanied Lou to see Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher).
 Karl suggested Harold should have a check-up and Harold was later 
diagnosed with prostate cancer, which needed immediate medical 
attention.[20]
 Due to Harold's Christian beliefs and the loss of Madge to cancer, he 
believed that the diagnosis was "fate trying to reunite them" and he 
refused treatment.[20]
 Fletcher said "Harold obviously has a lot of things to think about. He 
had to weigh up his belief that he'll be reunited with Madge against the
 love he feels for his friends and family who are still alive. It's a 
very difficult situation to be in."[20]
 Harold shut everyone out of his life as he tried to cope with the news.
 After speaking to neighbour and fellow cancer sufferer, Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner), Harold eventually agreed to have surgery and underwent chemotherapy treatment.[21]
While cheering up Donna Freedman (Margot Robbie) at the General Store, Harold suffered a heart attack, which left him fighting for his life.[22] His friends and neighbours held a 24-hour vigil at the hospital hoping he would pull through.[22]
 Harold later flat-lined and Karl, despite knowing it could get him into
 trouble with the hospital authorities, went against Harold's wish to 
not be resuscitated.[22]
 Fletcher commented "Harold's heart stops beating, so Karl chooses to 
override his wishes and bring him back to life. As he fears, Harold is 
furious with him when he regains consciousness, insisting that he wanted
 to be reunited with his beloved wife, Madge, who died of cancer. 
Because of Karl's actions, Harold feels as though Madge has been taken 
away from him twice."[23] Harold forgave Karl for saving him, but made it clear that he no longer wanted to live.[22] Harold eventually recovered and he decided to leave Erinsborough to go and live with his granddaughter.[24] Smith's final scenes as Harold were broadcast on 27 February 2009 in Australia.[25] During an interview with Digital Spy, executive producer Susan Bower
 said she thought the character should have been killed off during the 
cancer storyline, but she pleased that he was still alive. She added 
"we've got a lovely photograph of him in the store and we named the 
store after Harold, at least means that his spirit will always live on."[26]
=== Return (2011) ===
"There's no doubt about it: if there's one person you need in a 
Ramsay Street crisis, it's Harold Bishop. Famed for his infinite wisdom 
and charitable ways, he's counselled many a resident through times of 
trouble - and he'll be doing it all over again when he soon makes his 
long-awaited return to Erinsborough."[27]
In December 2010, cast member Ryan Moloney revealed to TV Week that Smith would be returning to Neighbours in 2011.[28] Moloney said Smith would appear "for a little bit" and it was later reported by the Herald Sun that Smith would return for six weeks.[28][29] Smith began filming his comeback scenes in February 2011.[29] He told Holy Soap that he was surprised when he was asked to return to Neighbours and after talking with his wife, they agreed that he should go back for a brief stint.[30] Smith later revealed that he was returning to work because he had suffered during the recession and wanted to earn some money.[31]
 He also said that the chance to play Harold again was "appealing" and 
that he did not get a chance to say a proper goodbye to him.[31] Smith vowed that it would be his last return to the show, as he and his wife have plans to travel through central Australia.[31]
Harold returned on 9 May 2011.[32]
 His return storyline saw him come back to Ramsay Street to help a 
friend. Smith said that viewers will think they know who it is, but they
 would be wrong. Smith said "And of course there's human pathos, there's
 laughs – lots of laughs – [and] a little bit of romance, but I'm not 
saying who for, because I don't think she/he would like me to let it 
out. Look, there's a little bit of everything, but the thing is it's all
 a happy ending and it couldn't be better, and I loved it."[30] Smith pitched one idea for Harold's return and he said that it would be interesting to revisit the character once more.[30] A few months later it was revealed that Harold comes back to Erinsborough after receiving a call for help from Toadfish Rebecchi.[27] Not all of Harold's help is "received as graciously as it's given" and Harold's new relationship with Carolyn Johnstone (Paula Duncan) was not welcomed by some of the neighbours.[27][33] Smith told Sarah from Inside Soap
 that when the producers asked him if there was a particular storyline 
he would like to play, he suggested that Harold should get married and 
so he returns engaged.[34] Harold's news was not well received by his best friend Lou.[34]
=== Return (2015) ===
On 16 November 2014, it was announced that Smith had reprised his role for Neighbours'
 30th anniversary in 2015. It was also confirmed that Harold would be 
reunited with his deceased wife Madge, who was thought to appear as a 
ghost.[35] Smith initially had some doubts about returning to Neighbours again, as he was unsure if he remembered what to do.[36]
 He said "I worried about remembering the words for starters, and the 
first scene I remembered the words but I forgot to act. But it's like 
falling off the horse. The old horse remembered me and I remembered it 
and we were fine."[36]
 Smith also said he was sceptical about the storyline with Madge, 
believing that it would be "one of those American arising from the dead"
 plots, but after it was explained to him, he thought it had been 
"cleverly handled" and revealed that it had been dreamt up by Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy).[36]
Harold made his on-screen return during the episode broadcast on 17 February 2015.[37]
 Harold was reunited with his old friends, Toadie and Lou. When Toadie 
notices that Harold is quick to change the subject whenever Carolyn is 
brought up and that he is carrying around a picture of Madge in his 
wallet, Toadie suspects Harold is hiding something.[38]
 After calling Carolyn, Toadie learns that she and Harold have broken 
up. Harold admits that he and Carolyn were not quite the soul mates he 
has thought they were.[38] He also tells Lou that he was embarrassed as his life was not perfect.[38] Harold gives Madge's grandson Daniel (Tim Phillipps) advice about his future wedding to Amber Turner (Jenna Rosenow), as he wants Daniel to have realistic expectations about marriage.[38]
== Storylines ==
=== 1987–91 ===
Madge's daughter, Charlene (Kylie Minogue), calls Harold and invites him to Erinsborough
 to see Madge. Harold surprises Madge when he arrives on her doorstep 
and he is keen to rekindle their romance. Harold decides to settle in 
the area and he opens a health food shop and moves in with Nell Mangel (Vivean Gray),
 who secretly admires Harold as he is a churchgoer like she is. Harold 
proposes to Madge, but he calls off the wedding when Charlene wants to 
move in with Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) out of wedlock and Madge throws her ring in Lassiter's Lake. Harold takes over the Coffee Shop, when Daphne Clarke (Elaine Smith) goes on maternity leave. Daphne dies and Harold stays on as permanent manager, he also writes for the Erinsborough News.
Eileen Clarke (Myra De Groot) spreads rumours that Harold is a lady-killer
 and when Harold discovers that people are talking about him, he tries 
to leave town. Charlene tells Harold that she has not finished working 
on his brakes, but he does not listen and crashes his car. Harold breaks
 both arms and Madge realises that she loves Harold and they resume 
their engagement. Lou Carpenter arrives in town and declares his love 
for Madge, Harold punches him during a fight. Madge chooses Harold and 
they marry. Harold saves Des Clarke's (Paul Keane) life and Des offers him a partnership in the Coffee Shop. Harold and Madge later buy Des out.
Kerry shows up and Harold is shocked to find out that she had had a 
child out of wedlock, but he is delighted to be a grandfather to Sky (Miranda Fryer). Harold invites Kerry to move in with him and Madge. Harold is initially against Kerry's relationship with Joe Mangel (Mark Little), but he sees how much Joe loves her and Sky and gives their relationship his blessing. Joe and Kerry marry and Joe's son, Toby (Finn Greentree-Keane) calls Harold "grandad". Harold and Madge win the lottery and take a trip around the world, they meet Eddie Buckingham (Bob La Castra)
 in England and he comes home with them. Kerry is shot and killed by a 
duck hunter, which devastates Harold. He develops a stronger bond with 
Joe as a result. Harold suffers a heart attack when he discovers that 
Madge has invited Lou to stay. Harold and Madge decide to go on holiday.
 During a walk on a coastal path, Madge stops to talk to a painter and 
when she looks around, Harold is nowhere to be seen. Madge finds 
Harold's glasses at the edge of a cliff and his body is not found.
=== 1996–2009 ===
Five
 years later, it is revealed that Harold was swept out to sea and picked
 up by a trawler. He suffers from amnesia and calls himself Ted (a sly 
reference to the character he played in Prisoner Cell Block H, Ted 
Douglas). He decides to work for the Salvation Army after they help him 
start a new life. Harold turns up in Ramsay Street to collect some boxes
 from Marlene Kratz (Moya O'Sullivan). As Harold leaves, he bumps into Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy)
 who is shocked to see him. She tries to track him down and leaves her 
number for Harold at the Salvation Army shop. Harold calls Helen and 
comes to see her, but he becomes frustrated as he does not remember the 
things she tells him and leaves. Helen calls Madge, who had moved away, 
to tell her that Harold is alive and Madge flies to Erinsborough.
Harold and Madge renew their vows (1997)
Marlene invites Harold to join her for lunch at the Coffee Shop, 
where Helen, Lou and Madge are waiting. Harold recognises Madge, but he 
has no idea that she is his wife until she tells him everything. Harold 
starts counselling and his memory returns. Harold and Madge renew their 
wedding vows and they move to Queensland. Harold returns to Erinsborough
 to play the tuba in a Salvation Army concert and he rents his old 
house. He and Madge eventually move back and they buy the Coffee Shop. 
Harold befriends Paul McClain (Jansen Spencer) and he and Madge foster him. They later foster Paul's friend, Tad Reeves (Jonathon Dutton) too. Harold and Madge decided to take over the running of Grease Monkeys, but they later sell the business.
Madge is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given six months to 
live, which devastates Harold. Madge develops septicaemia and Karl 
Kennedy tells Harold that Madge only has a short time left. Madge dies 
in Harold's arms. Both Paul and Tad leave and Lou moves in. Rosie Hoyland (Maggie Millar)
 arrives and Harold and Lou become rivals for her love, but she tells 
Harold that she just wants to be friends. Harold then finds himself 
rejecting Valda Sheergold's (Joan Sydney) advances. Harold tries a dating agency and start dating Ruby Dwyer (Maureen Edwards),
 though she is just using him for money. Harold donates a kidney to Lou 
and when he is released from hospital, he discovers that his house has 
been burgled. He discovers that it was Ruby, but he tries to help her 
gambling problem and she later leaves to see her son.
Sky returns to see Harold and he shocked she is now a rebellious 
teenager with black and blue hair. Harold offers to tell her more about 
Kerry and he introduces her to Boyd Hoyland (Kyal Marsh). David, his wife, Liljana (Marcella Russo) and their daughter, Serena (Lara Sacher)
 also come to town. Harold is unhappy at David's behaviour, the way 
Liljana takes over his kitchen and how Serena is spoilt. Harold and 
David make up and Harold invites him to move in with him and Sky. Harold
 suffers a stroke and his personality changes. Harold becomes rude and 
selfish, he starts eating meat and drinking and he leaves the Salvation 
Army. Harold later recovers and goes back to normal. A fire sweeps 
through the Lassiter's Complex and burns the Coffee Shop to the ground. 
He sets up a temporary Coffee Shop at the Community Hall with Paul Robinson's (Stefan Dennis) help. Harold goes into business with Lou and they open the General Store. Joe returns and stays with Harold.
Sky, David, Liljana and Serena are involved in a plane crash. Sky is 
found and days later David's body is recovered. Liljana and Serena are 
never found. Harold goes into denial and punches Joe, Sky tells him that
 she needs him and he snaps out of it. Harold blames Paul Robinson for 
David, Liljana and Serena's deaths and he strangles Paul from behind. 
Paul survives and Harold later confesses to Paul, who does not press 
charges. Harold leaves town for a little while and on his return, he 
discovers that Sky is pregnant. Harold has a brief romance with Loris Timmins (Kate Fitzpatrick) and Sky gives birth to a daughter, Kerry
 (Claudine Henningsen). Sky moves away to be with Kerry's father and 
Harold throws himself into work at the General Store. He later decides 
to pack up and travel around the country. Harold meets Kate Newton (Briony Behets) and they briefly stop over in Erinsborough, before leaving together.
Harold returns for Christmas and goes for a checkup. He is shocked 
when Karl tells him that he has prostate cancer and needs urgent 
treatment. Harold does not take the news well, but Karl eventually 
convinces him to fight. Harold has an operation and begins chemotherapy 
after speaking to Stephanie Scully. Harold later suffers a heart attack 
and Karl ignores his wishes not to be resuscitated. Harold's cancer goes
 into remission and he decides to go and be with Sky. He gives his home 
to the Salvation Army and says goodbye to Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne)
 when she sees him taking photos of Ramsay Street. The next day he says 
goodbye to everyone else and drives out of town. When he stops for tea, 
he discovers that Lou has been hiding in his camper van and they 
continue the journey together.
=== 2011–15 ===
Two
 years later, Harold returns to Ramsay Street after receiving a call for
 help from Toadie, who is dealing with the news that his girlfriend Sonya Mitchell (Eve Morey) is the mother of his adopted son, Callum (Morgan Baker). Harold advises Toadie to be more forgiving and speak with Sonya. Harold meets Troy Miller (Dieter Brummer),
 but fails to pass his number onto Toadie as he thinks he has enough to 
deal with. After taking some secret calls, Harold tells Toadie that he 
is engaged to Carolyn Johnstone, a businesswoman. Harold witness a kiss 
between Sonya and Troy. Carolyn arrives and she and Harold confront Troy
 together. She also suggests that she and Harold get married in 
Erinsborough. Lou returns to town and is reunited with Harold. Lou does 
not get along with Carolyn and thinks she is stuck up. After they argue 
about Harold's bucks night, Harold gets Lou and Carolyn to compromise on
 a joint party at Charlie's. Troy physically threatens Harold, who tells
 Toadie.
On his wedding day, Harold visits Madge's grave to get her blessing. 
He and Carolyn then get married. Harold and Carolyn later return for 
their honeymoon and tell Lou that he has taken on too much at the car 
yard and that he needs to slow down. Lou does not listen to them and he 
later collapses. Harold tells Lou to start taking his health seriously 
and Lou announces his intentions to sell the car yard. Shortly before 
they leave, Callum asks Harold and Carolyn for their help in getting 
Sonya to move back in. Harold talks to Toadie, who thinks it might be 
too soon. After saying their goodbyes to Lou, Harold and Carolyn are 
informed that Toadie and Sonya are moving back in together. Toadie 
thanks Harold and he and Carolyn leave.
In 2015, Harold returns to Ramsay Street for Daniel Robinson's 
wedding and the Erinsborough Festival. Harold catches up with Toadie and
 Lou. He tells them Carolyn could not accompany him as she is working, 
but then changes the subject when she is brought up again. Harold later 
makes a phone call to Carolyn and tells her he will send on her things. 
Harold asks Toadie to help him change his will and after Toadie calls 
Carolyn, he learns that she and Harold have split up. Harold tells 
Toadie that he and Carolyn drifted apart after realising that they were 
not soulmates after all. Harold befriends Sheila Canning (Colette Mann),
 who flirts with him. Harold begins thinking about Madge and starts to 
hear her voice. He becomes distracted while driving and crashes through 
the Erinsborough Festival. When he wakes, he sees Madge sitting beside 
him. She appears to him again and they converse about all the events 
Madge has missed and Daniel's wedding.
Madge disapproves of Daniel's fiancee and believes he is better suited to Imogen Willis
 (Ariel Kaplan). Harold then tells Daniel that marrying Amber would be a
 mistake and Daniel bans him from coming to the wedding. Madge 
encourages Harold to go on a date with Sheila and they bond over their 
families. But Harold later tells Madge that she is the only one for him.
 Harold tells Susan about Madge and she advises him to live in the 
present. Sky asks Harold to give up his nomadic lifestyle and move to 
Port Douglas to help out with her children. He agrees after Sky mentions
 Madge came to her in a dream, believing it to be a good idea. Harold 
takes a last look at Number 24 with Madge, who tells him she will not be
 coming with him. He leaves after saying goodbye to his friends.
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