Former Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard has shared a health update with followers after revealing she lost consciousness while working on the set of Irish soap Fair City. The actress, who announced her breast cancer diagnosis in February, completed radiotherapy treatment during the summer and has been documenting her recovery on social media.
Collapse on set and paramedic treatment
Last week, Callard disclosed that she collapsed and fainted while on the Fair City set. She explained that she refused hospital admission, opting instead for on-site paramedic treatment before being sent home to recuperate. She said: "I've been at work this week, filming the most amazing scenes. Really good, great scripts working with people who are so good, but good fun as well."
She continued: "And it was all going swimmingly, and then today, I've no idea what happened to me, but I was all ready to start a new scene with Emily, who plays my daughter, and we just sat there getting ready, about to run lines, and I lost consciousness for a few minutes, maybe 10 minutes, which was very odd."
"Because of protocol, they had to check me out and everything. An ambulance came. I desperately didn't want to go to hospital. I recovered and felt fine again but I can't explain what it was. I was boiling hot. I seemed to lose 10 minutes but I don't know why. I was checked out by the ambulance men and everything and they were happy to let me come home as long as I rested."
Recovery and further tests
Callard said she plans to spend the weekend recuperating but currently feels "perfectly normal." She added: "So I've got rest all weekend but now, I have to tell you, I feel a complete fraud because I'm home and I feel perfectly normal."
"The only thing that did happen was my blood pressure was through the roof but obviously I've not been right since the radiotherapy. But aside from that, I don't know what's going on. But I'm at the hospital again next week, so I'll probably know more, and I'm awaiting the results of these other tests and the biopsies they've taken from my stomach."
She added: "So, that's it really. As I say, I feel a bit of a fraud, but the dogs know I'm poorly, they won't leave me alone again. So, there we go. If anybody else has had this, please let me know, because I don't know what's going on with me at all. Lots of love."
Light-hearted update with husband John
A few days later, Callard returned to social media with another update, telling followers: "Okay, update. I've still been resting and being very sensible." She then moved on to other topics, joking with her husband John McEwan about whether they would adopt a dog named Elvis from a rescue centre.
In a video, Callard said: "As you know, John and I went to the dog rescue the day, and we're discussing whether we keep Elvis or not. So, honestly, I'm like, 'Yes, we're going to have it!'" John appeared and replied: "With someone else? Are you in escrow? On your own?" Callard kept responding "yeah" with a giggle before John replied: "We're not having Elvis."
But Callard replied: "Well, it's under discussion, isn't it?" John replied: "Yeah, I've discussed it... I make it sound like I'm in charge," to which Callard laughed: "Of course you're not!" before they went back and forth as to whether they would be bringing a new dog into their home.
Captioning the post, Callard wrote: "It's funny how Jon thinks he's in charge [crying laughing emoji]. I'm wearing him down slowly, also Jon thinks he's clever with his watch, operating the camera, very smooth, not [heart emojis]."
