Read more about Harold Bishop at: Wikipedia

Official Site: Seven Network

Harold Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Smith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 January 1987. Smith was offered a role by Neighbours creator and executive producer Reg Watson. He departed in September 1991, but returned five years later in October 1996 and remained on screen for over twelve years, making him the second longest-running character in the show's history, surpassed only by Lou Carpenter. Smith announced Harold's departure from Neighbours in August 2008 and he made his final appearance 27 February 2009. In December 2010, it was announced that Smith would be reprising his role as Harold for a return in 2011.

Reg Watson offered Smith a role in Neighbours following the end of his television drama, Prisoner, with which Smith had been a script editor. Smith agreed to join Neighbours and asked if he could write for the show too. Comedian Peter Moon revealed in 2009 that he had originally auditioned for the role of Harold. Moon said "Ian Smith beat me to it, so it is kind of weird thinking about the life I could have had. When I auditioned, I went into wardrobe and they gave me a pair of shoes to wear that had Harold written on them". Harold later became the second longest-running character in the show's history.

Smith decided to go part time on the show in 2007. He had been ready to depart Neighbours for good, but the producers did not want him to leave. They then offered him a compromise, which would see Smith film for six weeks and then have a four month break. Smith said that he was "awfully glad" that the producers talked him into coming back and explained, "I'm not retiring, but I am walking away from having to work 13-hour days, day after day." Smith began appearing intermittently during 2008 and this forced the writers to take Harold in a new direction. Harold's first departure saw him leave Ramsay Street for a tour around Australia.

Harold is described as being "indecisive, considerate, stuffy and reserved." Harold is a Christian and never misses church on Sunday, he was also once an "enthusiastic" Scout leader. Harold's hobbies include playing the tuba, giving his time to the Salvation Army and birdwatching. He once had a comedic alter ego named "Afro Harold."

Harold Bishop has not been a contender in any CBUB matches.