Guy Pearce and Ian Smith lead the returning Neighbours stars

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His character was famously presumed drowned in 1991, only to return with amnesia five years later.

But despite leaving and returning to Ramsay Street several more times over the years, Ian Smith is finally saying goodbye to Neighbours for good this week.

The veteran actor, who has played Harold Bishop on-and-off since 1987, was seen filming his final scenes on Monday with many of the show’s original cast, including Guy Pearce.

Guy Pearce and Ian Smith lead the returning Neighbours stars

One last time: Despite leaving and returning to Ramsay Street several more times over the years, Ian Smith (pictured left) is finally saying goodbye to Neighbours for good this week

Smith has played Harold onscreen for over twelve years, making him one of the longest-running characters in the show’s history.

After four years on the show, he first left in 1991 after his character was swept out to sea and was presumed dead. 

It was later revealed Harold was swept out to sea and picked up by a trawler, before returning to Erinsborough with amnesia and calling himself ‘Ted’. 

Runs on the board: Smith has played Harold onscreen for over twelve years, making him one of the longest-running characters in the show's history

Runs on the board: Smith has played Harold onscreen for over twelve years, making him one of the longest-running characters in the show’s history

Guy Pearce has returned to Neighbours, 36 years after it set his impressive acting career in motion.

The 54-year-old was spotted on set as the TV series filmed its final scenes this week.

He played Mike Young on the iconic soap between 1986 and 1989. 

He's back! Guy Pearce has returned to Neighbours, 36 years after it set his impressive acting career in motion

He’s back! Guy Pearce has returned to Neighbours, 36 years after it set his impressive acting career in motion

In photos from the show’s Melbourne set, the Memento star could be seen slipping into a Triumph motorcycle jacket while standing next to his character’s motorbike. 

The future movie star was cast on the show as an 18-year-old after writing to Grundy producers while still a Year 12 student.

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Also returning for the axed show’s last hurrah is Paul Keane, who played Des Clarke from the long-running soap’s first episodes.

Other original cast members spotted on set included Annie Jones, Stefan Dennis, Ian Smith, Geoff Paine and Lucinda Cowden. 

Where it all began: The 54-year-old was spotted on set as the TV series filmed its final scenes this week

Where it all began: The 54-year-old was spotted on set as the TV series filmed its final scenes this week

Biker chic: In photos from the show's Melbourne set, the Memento star could be seen slipping into a Triumph motorcycle jacket while standing next to his character's motorbike

Biker chic: In photos from the show’s Melbourne set, the Memento star could be seen slipping into a Triumph motorcycle jacket while standing next to his character’s motorbike

Ambitions: The future movie star was cast on the show as an 18-year-old after writing to Grundy producers while still a Year 12 student

Ambitions: The future movie star was cast on the show as an 18-year-old after writing to Grundy producers while still a Year 12 student

Not seen were Kylie Minogue, who is to reprise her role as Charlene Mitchell for the show’s final episode, or Jason Donovan, who will return to play Scott Robinson. 

Network 10 and Fremantle, the show’s producer, confirmed the news that Neighbours was cancelled in March, with the final episode to be filmed in June.

In a statement issued to MailOnline, they confirmed at the time: ‘It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in the summer.

Down time: Pearce sips on a cup of coffee between scenes

Down time: Pearce sips on a cup of coffee between scenes

Homecoming: Of his return, Pearce told metro.co.uk, 'It is very exciting and surreal at the same time being back on set again, however it feels like coming home'

Homecoming: Of his return, Pearce told metro.co.uk, ‘It is very exciting and surreal at the same time being back on set again, however it feels like coming home’

Reunited: Also returning for the axed show's last hurrah is Paul Keane (right), who played Des Clarke from the long-running soap's first episodes

Reunited: Also returning for the axed show’s last hurrah is Paul Keane (right), who played Des Clarke from the long-running soap’s first episodes

‘Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show.

‘Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the audience since the news came out. The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world launching the careers of dozens of household names along the way.

‘But as this chapter of Ramsay Street comes to a close, we promise to do everything we can to give the show the send-off it deserves.’

Stars align: L-R are Cowden, Pearce, Stefan Dennis, Keane and Annie Jones

Stars align: L-R are Cowden, Pearce, Stefan Dennis, Keane and Annie Jones 

Getting into character: Pearce discusses his upcoming shot with crew members

Getting into character: Pearce discusses his upcoming shot with crew members

Mounted: Pearce climbs atop his character's Triumph motorcycle

Mounted: Pearce climbs atop his character’s Triumph motorcycle

Safety first: Guy slips on bike gloves and prepares to put on his helmet before shooting begins

Pearce also told Metro, 'It's where it all started for me professionally. I've been asked to come back on occasions over the years and wondered if it was the right thing to do, but once I knew the show was finishing, I knew I had to do it'

Safety first: Guy slips on bike gloves and prepares to put on his helmet before shooting begins

The show will be taken off-air indefinitely after an ‘extensive search for alternative funding’ ended in failure.

News of its abrupt departure from UK’s Channel 5 sent the show into a tailspin, with network bosses in Australia scrambling to find a new international broadcasting deal to cover production costs or face the closure of Ramsay Street for good.

Network 10 addressed the end of the series in a statement to Australian media this month, admitting it had been a ‘difficult decision’.

Feeling good: 'While I've caught up with many of the cast I worked with on the show over the years, there is nothing like being here all together again' he added

Feeling good: ‘While I’ve caught up with many of the cast I worked with on the show over the years, there is nothing like being here all together again’ he added

Moving on up: Guy has gone on to star in movies like LA Confidential, Iron Man 3 and The King's Speech

Moving on up: Guy has gone on to star in movies like LA Confidential, Iron Man 3 and The King’s Speech

‘This difficult decision came after the search for an alternative UK broadcast partner proved unsuccessful.’

They added that the series would ‘not air on 10 Peach beyond September 2022’, marking the end of its decades-long run.

‘A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years it has been a staple of Australian television drama, and Australian cultural exports,’ they added.

‘Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a cul-de-sac recognised all over the world and has been home to Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David and many, many more neighbours.

‘Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, all the production team and Fremantle for bringing the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and around the world.’

They also praised ‘the Australian fans and audiences for their continued support of the series’.

‘Their encouragement particularly in the past few weeks has been incredible. It shows that our audience still want Australian scripted drama,’ continued the statement.

‘We have listened to them and there are exciting new local projects in the pipeline, which is great for our audience and for the local industry.

‘We are confident that the cast, crew and writers will bring their distinctive warmth, style and humour to the Neighbours set as they embark on filming the final episodes over the coming months.’

Meanwhile, British broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed the end of its 14-year deal with Neighbours in February, with a spokesperson telling MailOnline that the decision to axe the soap comes as the channel’s ‘current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama’.

‘We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers,’ they said.

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