Neighbours-Source.co.uk - Characters - Harold Bishop
Harold Bishop / Ian Smith
Full Name:Harold Wayne Bishop
Age:
Relations: Madge Bishop (Wife), David Bishop (Son), Liljana Bishop (Steph Daughter), Sky Mangel (Niece), Serena Bishop (Niece).
Current Residance: 24 Ramsay Street
Signifcant Events:
Relationships: Mavis Bishop, Svetlanka Ristic.
Pillar of the community and friend to most of Ramsay Street, Harold has had been a father figure for many and is often looked to in times of need. Extensive charity work, particularly with the Salvation Army, and his strong religious and moral values help back up these characteristics however Harold has had a problematic past.
Harold first appeared on Ramsay Street in 1987 (making him the longest running character in the soap). Previous to this Harold was married to Mavis, who is mother to David and Kerry, his son and daughter. Mavis died before Harold arrived in Ramsay Street and so never appeared on screen.
In 1989, Harold's daughter married Joe Mangel - whom Harold did not approve of. Unfortunately, Kerry was accidentally shot during a protest against hunters at a nearby lake. Her death came after she had given birth to a daughter, Sky Mangel.
In 1991 Harold dissapeared from the street. He was not found despite frantic searches and was presumed dead. In 1996 Helen Daniels found Harold, who was going by the name of Ted because he suffered memory loss as a result of the accident.
In 2001, Madge Bishop, died of cancer. In an emotional episode, Madge died in Harold's arms.
More recently Harold found himself seeking revenge against Paul Robinson as he sought to find a channel for his grief after the Lassiter plane crash which saw David, Liljana and Serena disappear as the plane crashed into the sea. At first Harold buried himself in helping others via his work with the Salvation Army. He found himself a willing ally in Connor who was experiencing similar emotions after the loss of Serena who he was dating at the time of the plane crash. Harold soon begin to change though and began watching Paul closely and found himself angered as Paul continued in his life apparently unaffected by the shock of the crash. This blasé nature and the happiness Paul was displaying as he found himself within a family again as Elle Robinson returned to Ramsay Street and stayed with Paul and Izzy Hoyland increased Harold's frustration and saw him act on his feelings. After situating himself close to Paul, offering to help Paul out on several occasions and often popping around to number 22. Harold's then attacked as his grief overcame him and he found himself in number 22 alone with Paul who had his back to him. Harold attempted to strangle Paul as he found his hands closing around Paul's neck. After Paul had fallen to the floor Harold left number 22 as calmly as he had arrived leaving Paul stricken on the floor.
After several weeks of guess work by Paul and several other Ramsay Street residents and a trip to Tasmania by Harold the truth about who attacked Paul came out as Harold found himself unable to continue his life in Ramsay Street without confessing his misdeeds. Harold was willing to go to the police with his confession but Paul had revenge of his own in mind and opened up Lucinda's to drive Harold and Lou out of business as Lucinda's attracted all of the General Stores customers. This proved a very successful operation and Harold and Lou soon found themselves having to hand over the keys to the General Store to Paul and his Lassiter Cooperation.
Harold found himself pleased with the forced retirement that had been imposed on both he and Lou and set about doing things that he'd never had time for during his daily work at the Coffee Shop and General Store. Lou was less inclined to this way of thinking though, despite attempts by Harold to involve Lou in several activities such as handing out pamphlets in the Neighbourhood and riding around in a motorbike and side car. Lou regained his spirit with the arrival of Mishka, who he had met via the internet. Mishka offer Lou differing advice and advised him to challenge Paul. The pair drew up a scheme to get the General Store back from Paul which was successful. This saw Lou and Harold return to working in the General Store as before, though Harold was reluctant to at first based upon the means of how they got the store back and the fact that he was enjoying retirement.
