In August 2008, it was announced that Smith had quit "Neighbours". Paula Lucarelli of Network Ten said "When the discussions were made about his decision to go part-time last year, he said it was only going to be for a short time and then he would let us know. Production was aware that it would be coming." Smith began filming his final scenes in October of that year for a departure in February 2009. Smith revealed that he quit "Neighbours", so he could travel more and because he was getting "ongoing abuse" from local people.