Neighbours legend shares idea on how to save the soap

Neighbours star Ian Smith has suggested that turning the soap into a school could have saved it from cancellation.

Smith rose to fame when he joined as Harold Bishop back in 1987. Despite his departure in 2008, the actor has continued to come back for cameos throughout the years, and he clearly still has a lot of love for the show.

Speaking to Courier Mail, the actor called for the Australian government to acknowledge the importance of the series as a long-running school for actors and film makers.

ian smith as harold bishop in neighbours

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"I think the Australian government should have bought it," he said. "Put it on the ABC and used it as a living, working school for actors, writers and cameramen and put it to air as such."

During its 37-year run, Neighbours has nurtured talents such as Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Jason Donovan, Alan Dale, Liam Hemsworth, Barbie's Margot Robbie and Chicago Fire's Jesse Spencer, and many others.

Smith is also not the only actor who has presented this argument in the past few months.

Rob Mills, who played Finn Kelly on the Aussie soap, had also previously suggested turning the show into a school for young actors during a heartfelt Instagram farewell post for the show back in February.

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In his message, he called for Australian prime minister Scott Morrison to "throw us a bone", saying: "As artists we will always find the light. But geez its getting dark in this country. Would love to have a leader who valued #TheArts more in this country. Considering how much everyone has relied on them the last two years."

"PS Here's an idea…" he suggested at the end. "Could @filmvic bank roll Neighbours by turning the whole block into a school? Where students can learn on the job. Just a thought."

Neighbours' last-ever episode is set to air on August 1st in both the UK and Australia.

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 and streams on My5. In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach and streams on 10 Play.