{"id":67590,"date":"2023-09-27T10:19:13","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T10:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rapidcelnews.com\/?p=67590"},"modified":"2023-09-27T10:19:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T10:19:13","slug":"neighbours-harold-stars-life-attacked-by-kids-adoption-bombshell-and-tragedy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rapidcelnews.com\/tv-movies\/neighbours-harold-stars-life-attacked-by-kids-adoption-bombshell-and-tragedy\/","title":{"rendered":"Neighbours Harold star\u2019s life – attacked by kids, adoption bombshell and tragedy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Neighbours fans were thrilled to see the return of iconic character Harold Bishop as the beloved soap made a huge comeback to Amazon. <\/p>\n

    Harold was a firm favourite on Ramsay Street from his arrival in 1987, and made a number of special appearances on the soap after his initial exit in 1991. <\/p>\n

    He eventually left for good in 2011 after popping in and out a few times, but thrilled fans when he came back for the 2022 finale, and is now back in Erinsborough once again. <\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Neighbours Mackenzie star's life \u2014 making history, famous family and Netflix fame<\/b><\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Neighbours Karl Kennedy star drops huge hint iconic 80s character will be next to return<\/b><\/p>\n

    But what about Ian\u2019s real life? From an adoption twist dramatic enough to rival that of Ramsay Street to a tragic death hitting close to home, Daily Star investigates.<\/p>\n

    Adoption hell<\/h3>\n

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    Ian learned at the ripe age of 54 that his mother wasn\u2019t his biological mother at all – and he had actually been adopted.<\/p>\n

    The star learned that his birth mother Peg Kline had fallen pregnant with him when she was just 13 years old.<\/p>\n

    He only found out when his adoptive mother Connie told him the truth about his birth, just a mere 24 hours before she sadly passed away.<\/p>\n

    Peg – who is also now deceased – revealed to ABC the details of Ian\u2019s birth after he went in search of his biological mum, explaining: \u201cWhen I was 13 – it was in 1938 – and I was a very naive, uneducated 13-year-old\u2026<\/p>\n

    \u201cParents couldn't bring themselves to talk about sex or things like that. It was this so-called friend of the family and he was 26 years old. And he did the wrong thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Depression battle<\/h3>\n

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    Learning the truth about his identity sent Ian into a spiral of depression, telling Daily Mail Australia in 2017 that he was \u201ctaking too much medication\u201d to really be affected by \u201cthe black dog\u201d.<\/p>\n

    He explained: \u201cI had basically been living a lie for 54 years. I couldn\u2019t even look in the mirror because I didn\u2019t know who I was.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The star sought out therapy to battle the condition, which resulted in him writing a memoir about his experiences.<\/p>\n

    He added: \u201cI honestly believe seven out of 10 men would go through some form of depression.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMen are reasonably stupid – they won't go and see about these things. But thank God more and more footballers and sportsmen have started to go to print about things like depression, because hopefully the tide may be turning.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Family life<\/h3>\n

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    Both of Ian\u2019s mothers sadly died within years of him discovering the truth, though he managed to get to know his adoptive mum Peg and his two half-brothers at the time.<\/p>\n

    However, he admitted he didn\u2019t feel like it was a mother and son bond, instead referring to his birth mother as one of his \u201cbest friends\u201d.<\/p>\n

    Peg sadly died from cancer in 2005, while adoptive mum Connie passed in 1992.<\/p>\n

    In his personal life, Ian is married to wife Gail, and the pair share several children and grandchildren together.<\/p>\n

    \u2018Bullied\u2019 by kids<\/h3>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Speaking about being recognised as his character Harold, Ian hasn\u2019t had it easy over the years.<\/p>\n

    He found himself the unfortunate target of a gang of youngsters, who hurled abuse at him while out and about, admitting fame can be \u201cugly\u201d.<\/p>\n

    Some of the abusers even tossed beer over the veteran actor in the street.<\/p>\n

    He explained back in 2008: \u201cThe recognition I get can be ugly. They hunt in packs, see me, laugh, point, sometimes chuck lager and shout abuse.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI absolutely hate it. By semi-retiring \u2013 just coming back for a stint every four months \u2013 I become a bit less recognisable and hopefully less subjected to the horrible abuse I\u2019ve suffered.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Slamming soap<\/h3>\n

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    For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters<\/i><\/b> here<\/i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

    Ian\u2019s decision to quit Neighbours came amid fears he was becoming typecast – and he admitted he wished he\u2019d quit the show before he did.<\/p>\n

    The star went for an audition for a very different role indeed, but was told: \u201cOh, you were Harold. You couldn\u2019t possibly be a murdering paedophile.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He later marched into the Neighbours producer\u2019s office and blurted that he didn\u2019t want to play Harold any more. He added to Studio 10 that he only wished he\u2019d made the decision sooner.<\/p>\n

    However, despite the woes the show brought him, Ian clearly didn\u2019t want to see Neighbours axed for good, as he even begged the Australian government to get involved in reversing the decision.<\/p>\n

    He told Courier Mail: \u201cI think the Australian government should have bought it, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

    *Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 and streams on My5<\/b><\/p>\n

    READ MORE:<\/b><\/p>\n