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Features
> Harold's Highlights
by Michael
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In the world of our legacy soaps, there is always one name that is seemingly synonymous with the show in question. Coronation Street is forever Ken Barlow.
Eastenders is famous for Ian Beale. Home and Away is intrinsically linked with Alf Stewart. And immediately when you think of Neighbours, the name that
conjures in your mind, above the stalwarts of Paul Robinson and Helen Daniels, is Harold Bishop. A character initially introduced as a bumbling love interest
for Madge but whose legacy has become the beating heart of the show, to the point where it feels like he is always around, even when off screen for lengthy
periods. It is certainly curious that a pompous, corporate white-collar working man, as Harold was introduced on his screen debut in 1987, could become everything
that is good and everything that we love about Neighbours.
Harold has appeared on screen in various stints, initially from 1987 to 1991, then from 1996 to 2008, plus a few short stints between 2008 and the relaunch of
Neighbours in 2023. And it was with this relaunch of Neighbours as the New Chapter that we saw Harold once again added to the opening titles and introduced as
a key part of the
Eirini Rising storyline, reminiscing with his old friends and neighbours (although in the case of Hilary and Gino, bickering!) and settling into Erinsborough
life once again. But all good things must come to an end and, ahead of Neighbours once again finishing at the end of 2025, Harold Bishop has set sail
for pastures new, made necessary by the sad news that Ian Smith has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Harold's tenure on Ramsay Street has been
littered with various comings and goings (or in the case of 1991, disappearances!), but this final swansong was a fitting tribute to an
incredible character as he moves on once more.
But what can you say that hasn't already been said about a character such as Harold Bishop, introduced for an initial six-week stint and still gracing us
with his presence 38 years later, older, slightly wiser, less bumbling but still essentially Harold. Maybe a highlights reel of his greatest moments is a
good place to start.
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First Appearance
I always find it startling that you can craft the perfect character in the scriptwriters' room, locate the ideal actor or actress to fill the role, but
then on screen it all falls a little bit flat, and viewers shrug their shoulders in apathy as they struggle to gel with said character. And then there are
those characters who are created merely to fulfil a short plot line, plonked into the show for five or six weeks, expected never to be seen again.
This was the fate that was supposed to meet Harold Bishop, a teetotal, white collar worker introduced as a love interest for Madge, whom he had known since
college. On paper the whole thing looked preposterous, outgoing and extroverted Madge coupling up with the very meek and serious Harold. But incredibly it
worked, a six-week stint suddenly manifesting itself into a four-year stay, just as Neighbours was enjoying its late eighties popularity, Harold slotting
in seamlessly with some of the other eighties greats such as Jim, Helen and Des.
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Marrying Madge
After a year-long courtship Neighbours viewers were treated to Madge and Harold tying the knot, their initial personality clashes being resolved and their
romance blossoming between 1987 and 1988. The wedding itself was pitch perfect; Harold clashing with Mrs Mangel before the ceremony over her continuing
disapproval of the union, and Harold's son David looking less than impressed at his new stepmother. But marry they did, and although this wedding may not
have resonated as much with viewers as that between Scott and Charlene, it was still a much-loved union between two rather unlucky-in-love characters seeking
mutual affection and company in their later years.
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Reconciling With, And Losing, Kerry
The loss of Harold’s daughter Kerry was the first of a string of heartbreaking moments that Harold had to endure during his time on Ramsay Street. Having
only been reunited with his estranged daughter the previous year, Kerry having rebelled against the stuffy life in which her parents Harold and Mavis were
bringing her up, Kerry was accidentally shot dead as she protested duck hunting with her husband Joe Mangel and friend Amber by her side. A free spirit at heart,
Kerry decided the time was right to reunite with Harold and repair their fractured relationship as she returned to Erinsborough in 1989 with her daughter
Sky in tow. Having married Joe shortly after settling down in Ramsay Street, and with Harold and Madge providing her with the love and stability she had
always craved, it was especially shocking for Kerry to be killed in such terrible circumstances. Although not fully able to express or process the death
of his beloved daughter, Harold’s heartbreak was clear as he tried to comfort a heartbroken Joe and be strong for granddaughter Sky.
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Disappearance At Sea
If you ask any Neighbours fan about Harold and his most famous moment on Ramsay Street, his disappearance at sea would surely be the highlight for
many. Incredible as it may seem considering his star billing, producers decided to write Harold out in 1991, with the character having only been on screen
for four years, feeling as though they had exhausted the Harold and Madge character arcs. In hindsight this was a huge mistake, although it did give us the
privilege of witnessing one of the most ridiculously brilliant and often replayed instances of Neighbours craziest exit plot, as Harold disappears at sea.
Whilst enjoying their holiday, Madge and Harold decided to make their way to a rocky outcrop on the choppy waters, Harold somehow losing his footing on the
jagged rocks as Madge was busily talking to an artist on shore. One minute he's there and the next he's gone, the only memory of his existence being a pair of
spectacles held by a distraught Madge. This was a much-loved plot twist so ridiculous that it was recycled 12 years later in the form of Toadie and Dee's
similar wedding day car crash.
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Reappearance As A Salvation Army Volunteer
It's safe to say that Harold's reappearance five years later as a Salvation Army volunteer is on a par with Bobby Ewing's back from the dead reappearance
in the shower in Dallas; an incredible plot twist that only Neighbours could pull off with such aplomb. Having lost his memory up to the point that he'd
washed up in Tasmania, Harold's 1996 return as 'Ted' was feted by many as a return to the good old days, especially pertinent considering that
the show itself was suffering a mid-90s doldrum, viewing figures having dropped off and the BBC and Grundy conspiring to inject some much needed warmth
and humour back into the show. The return of Harold was outlandish, but surprisingly well handled and a much-needed return to form for a show in a slump.
It's been suggested that Neighbours itself may have ended much sooner if Harold had not made his much-heralded return, so we should all be grateful that
the producers saw sense and brought him back from the dead when they did.
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Losing Madge
Having been reunited with his beloved Madge five years earlier, Harold endured terrible heartbreak as his wife succumbed to pancreatic cancer and died in
his arms in 2001. This was a devastating storyline which left Harold questioning his faith in God whilst trying to keep it together for the sake of his
sons, Paul and Tad. Breaking up the union of one of Neighbours most beloved husband and wife teams was a storyline we hoped would never unfold, but I
suppose if anything it has made Harold a stronger and more defined character in later years. Despite his own personal traumas, he has continually tried
to help out his friends and family with their own domestic dramas, a true testament to the strength of his character and resolve.
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Afro Harold
Yes, this happened but Thank the Gods that it did. Harold gaining cult status among students as Afro Harold, an attempt by Connor and Lori to drum up
business at the Coffee Shop by deciding that Harold wearing a wig and coming up with some zingy one-liners would help increase footfall. Including a
promotional advert that the residents of Ramsay Street had to stay up late at night to watch due to the cheaper advertising slots being in the wee hours,
this was classic off-the-wall but brilliantly silly Neighbours. Unfortunately for Harold his five minutes of fame came crashing down as he tried to use his
Afro Harold fame to warn students about the evils of alcohol and drug use. Oh well, good fun while it lasted.
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Bromance With Lou
Initially love rivals in the pursuit of Madge, Harold's budding bromance with Lou was the stuff of legend, their relationship being cemented by the
unfortunate passing of the woman they both loved. If nothing else, the devasting 2004 Lassiters fire did one good thing, it brought Harold and Lou even
closer as they decided to run the General Store together. Although Harold would be repeatedly exasperated with Lou's ongoing money-making antics, there
was something special in the way that they would bicker and argue like an old married couple or lament past failures. The love triangle with Rosie was a
particular highlight and it was sad to see their friendship broken up when Harold made his semi-permanent exit. Although still having Lou around for half
a year stints after Harold's 2008 departure was lovely, it wasn't quite the same without his 'Jelly Belly' partner in crime.
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Losing His Family
Losing Madge was only one of several harrowing moments we have seen Harold endure in his years on the street. The 2005 Bass Strait plane crash, although
spectacular, was truly one of Neighbours most controversial moments, as the producers decided to wipe out Harold's family: son David, daughter-in-law Lijana and
granddaughter Serena. Ian Smith was vehemently against the idea of killing off his loved ones, who had only been reunited a couple of years earlier, but I
suppose ratings and viewer interest overruled personal sentiment and so it came to pass. Soaps of course are ever evolving; plotlines change, characters
come and go, and situations are altered to suit the prevailing wind, but this felt especially cruel. Considering the characters who have disappeared and
reappeared over the years, would it have felt that outlandish for Harold's family to make a stunning return and restore his faith in humanity?
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Throttling Paul
Sudden character changes can prove divisive among fans, and this was the case here as Harold's faith in the goodness of the world was tested to its limit
as he wrought vengeance on the one man he blamed for destroying his life and killing his loved ones, Paul Robinson. Still reeling from having lost his family in
that horrific plane crash weeks earlier, coupled with finding a letter from his son David blaming Paul for ruining his marriage, Harold sought revenge on
Paul by attempting to strangle him, feeling that it was God's will to remove what he considered an evil presence from the world. Although the
plan was ultimately unsuccessful this storyline proved that anyone, when pushed enough times, can succumb to their demons. It was uncomfortable viewing to
see our beloved Harold reach these depths, but in these terrible circumstances duly warranted.
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2008 Departure
After a rocky few years Harold's 2008 departure didn't come as much of a surprise, as he left in his camper van with Valda, although thankfully for the
viewer he would make many a return. The low-key nature of Harold's departure was a bit strange; it didn't really feel as if a major character was leaving,
but maybe this was a better exit for Harold. Having lost his wife, his family and with the departure of Sky the previous year, it felt like a fitting time
for him to leave, particularly with Ramsay Street filled with a host of new faces and his own yearning for a new adventure. Of course, it was still sad to
see him leave his old friend Lou and the Kennedys behind, but I suppose sometimes good things must come to an end. Although in true Neighbours fashion we
only had to wait 62 episodes to see him back on the Street again!
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The New Chapter Return
One good thing about the New Chapter reprisal in 2023 was the return of Harold, who re-formed his past friendships with Karl, Susan and Toadie as he
started to think about his future and the possibility he may be developing dementia. Thankfully these health issues were unfounded, and Harold moved into
the newly launched Eirini Rising several months later. Having Harold back on screen in the New Chapter revival is probably one of the biggest plus points
of the last two years; although it hasn't been quite the same without his old sparring partner Lou, it has been lovely to see Harold dispensing his usual sage advice and putting
his foot in it once again. It feels somewhat fitting, if still sad, that Harold will be closing his own part of the New Chapter as the show prepares to
come to an end again, with the knowledge that this will most likely be his final ever stint.
It's safe to say that Harold Bishop is Neighbours. For those who have never watched or only have a passing interest in the show, Harold is a standalone
entity, an enigma if you will. How he became this eternally remembered and iconic character from what was originally conceived as a short stint is magically
mystifying, but we will be forever grateful. Although we can instantly conjure the memories of Harold disappearing beneath the waves or donning the Afro
Harold wig, his character was so much more. He could always be relied upon to be the wise old sage offering useful advice or helping a fellow resident in
trouble. His character has been tested numerous times over the years, but somehow through all his personal tragedies he has ridden through and, somehow,
maintained his faith in humanity. It will be desperately sad that Harold's latest exit will most likely be his last appearance in Neighbours, but
considering that we have been treated to such a storied history from his past 38 years we shouldn't be sad for too long. Let us hope that one day he
will be reunited with his beloved Madge and the rest of his family, and can finally put his feet up. Harold Bishop, what an icon!
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