Smith quit Ramsay St over 'fat Harold' jibes

Ian Smith has revealed that youths making abusive 'fat Harold' taunts were behind his decision to leave Neighbours.

The Australian actor, who has played Harold Bishop for 16 years, announced his departure from the soap in August.

The 70-year-old told The Sun: "You know it's time to move on when you're being hassled outside your home every night by drunk idiots screaming abuse. I got so fed up I ended up calling the police.

"They were making my life hell. Every night at the same time they would drive up to my house and start revving their engines really loudly. I lost count of the times I was shouted at. They'd scream 'Harold you fat so-and-so', but obviously their language was a lot stronger."

Harold will reportedly undergo a successful battle with prostate cancer before deciding to turn his back on Ramsay Street. Smith filmed his final episode last month and it will be screened in the UK on Channel 5 in May.