Beverley Callard has been praised by fans after making a moving speech in aid of the hospital where she received treatment for cancer. The actress, 69, announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer around the time she relocated to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan to join the cast of RTÉ's soap Fair City.
Cancer treatment and recovery
Beverley initially underwent an operation and then completed radiotherapy. The star then underwent tests on her stomach after doctors became concerned, but the results showed that there was no stomach cancer present. After receiving the good news, Beverley declared the "fight was back on," and was then invited to speak at a charity lunch held by the Friends of St Luke's at the Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin, in aid of the hospital where she underwent treatment.
Despite having been one of the most familiar faces on screen for decades thanks to her long-running portrayal of Rovers landlady Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, Beverley admitted that she still gets "nervous" when it comes to speaking in public.
Speech at charity lunch
In her latest Instagram video, she said: "I'm just on my way to a charity lunch in aid of St Luke's Hospital, where I had my radiotherapy. So, I've got to make a speech. So I'm a little nervous because I'm not really into these things, but having been a patient there and having fantastic care, I couldn't say no. So I'll let you know how it goes."
In a clip of her speech from the big event, the soap legend said: "First of all, I have to say I don't do these things very often. Uh, charity... I try and give as much as I can. I'm an ambassador for Mind, the mental health charity, but I always get daunted at lunches like this and dinners like this."
"I think lots of people think actors love all this, but it's quite, you know, unnerving to say the least. But then when I was asked to come here today, and I knew it was for St Luke's, I just felt I couldn't possibly say no. Truly. So thank you for inviting me. I am really honoured to be here."
Fan reactions and good news
In the final segment of her Instagram video, Beverley told fans that despite her nerves, she had had "had the most wonderful lunch," and that she had received flowers from the hospital as well. In the caption of her post, she wrote: "What a tremendous honour being invited to the Friends of St Luke’s ladies lunch."
"After all the amazing work they do… I couldn’t say no! Giving speeches still makes me nervous… even in my line of work! But it was great fun and a beautiful setting at Clontarf Castle Hotel."
Fans of the former I'm A Celebrity... star were quick to pile into the comments section of Beverley's post, pleased to see her looking so well following her ordeal. One fan wrote: "Good to seeing you look beautiful and healthy." Another said: "I'm so really pleased and absolutely delighted that you are feeling so much better as well," and a third wrote: "Beautiful lady, great spirit."
A fourth penned: "I was just thinking how much better you are looking now xx" and a fifth said: "You look amazing. So much better. Fantastic."
It's been a good week for Beverley, who recently revealed the news that she had finally received her results, she explained that the tests had found "chronic inflammation and H. pylori bacteria, but no stomach cancer whatsoever." She then proudly declared that "the fight is back on."
Ex-Loose Women panellist Denise Welch, who played Natalie Barnes on Coronation Street in the late 1990s, wrote: "Oh Beverley what great news!!!" and left behind a string of red heart emojis. Another follower wrote: "Great news , thrilled for you & the worried look has left your face . You are glowing & rightly so . Onwards & upwards & get your stomach problem sorted . Such a relief for yourself & John xx"
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.
