Beverley Callard was 'on edge' as she returned to work amid her cancer battle. The actress, 69, best known for playing Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, relocated to Ireland earlier this year with her husband Jon McEwan to play Lily Patterson on the RTE soap Fair City.
Just as she was in her dressing room waiting to film her first scenes, Beverley received news of her early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. She underwent an operation in April, after which it was confirmed she would need radiotherapy. Subsequent months saw treatment delays, with radiotherapy now scheduled to begin in early July.
First day back on set
Former I'm A Celebrity... South Africa star Beverley took to social media on Monday night to update fans as she headed back to the set despite her health woes. She said: 'First day back at work. I've just arrived. Jon brought me in for the first day. I have to tell you - it's like first day back at school. I'm really nervous and on edge but nicely so. I will let you know how it goes.'
In the same video, Beverley was seen back at home after the day was done and was very positive about how the whole thing had gone. She said: 'Home from first day back at work. Do you know what? It was fantastic! As I said before, first day of term - this is scary! But as soon as I was in there, you just feel like you'd never been away.'
Support from co-stars
The star was then inundated with comments from her co-stars and celebrity pals, who were quick to praise her. Denise Welch, who played Natalie Barnes on Coronation Street and appears on Loose Women, said: 'You look 25!!!' as Beverley replied: 'I wish!!! Miss you.'
Actress Emily Lamley, who plays Beverley's on-screen daughter Gwen Connolly, said: 'It's going to be a great week!' as Beverley replied: 'It really is! I'm so pleased to be back.' WAG Lizzie Cundy said: 'Looking good darling.'
Radiotherapy update
Following her first radiotherapy appointment, Beverley, also known for starring in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, had nothing but praise for the hospital staff. Despite a slight staff shortage which meant that various procedures could not be completed on that day, she believes she will finally be able to begin radiotherapy in just under a fortnight. She said: 'The staff were lovely, they did say I normally would've seen some nurses for blood pressure, blood tests, but they're short staffed so they couldn't do that today. They'll do that on my first radiotherapy session which they think is going to be 2nd July.'
Shortly afterwards, her husband Jon took to social media to post his own take on the situation. He said: 'Beverley has just gone into the CT room just to have her mapping done. There's nothing we can do really, is there? I'm just waiting. Yeah, she looked pretty worried about it but I know there's nothing worried about it. I think she's more worried about this than she is about having the operation. I think it's the unknown, isn't it? I think I'm more worried about this - the operation is just that. And I know she's worried about what she looks like but there's no need to worry about that. But this bit, the fact that she's gotta come every day...it's certainly a journey.'
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.
