Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard has opened up about the 'imposter syndrome' she now feels amid her breast cancer battle. The 69-year-old actress, famed for her role as Liz McDonald in the ITV soap for 30 years, revealed in February that she had been diagnosed with the early stages of the disease.
Return to Work on Fair City
Around the same time, Callard relocated to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan to star as beautician Lily Patterson in the RTÉ soap Fair City. Now that she has completed radiotherapy, bosses have asked her to do promotional media appearances, a prospect she finds daunting.
In a video posted to Instagram, dressed in her character's uniform, she said: "I've got a scene off so I've just got changed into Lily's uniform and I'm waiting to go back on again. I'm quite nervous because, as I said, I'm back on screen on Thursday.
"Now, interviews are coming in, they're saying 'Will you do interviews for this and that and the other?' Podcasts for some people, and I just thought 'Oh my God, they might see me and think we don't want her now!' It's ridiculous, isn't it? Ridiculous!"
Struggling with Sleep and Anxiety
Callard, also known for her role as Flo Henshaw in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, recently spoke of her sleep struggles, thanking fans for their advice. She added: "I had no sleep again last night but I'm getting there and I did take antihistamines after your advice so I'm hoping they will kick in and it will be a little bit better. I'm doing okay."
In the caption, she said: "Isn’t it funny how your mind can really be your worst enemy sometimes? The imposter syndrome is kicking in big time!"
Fan Support and On-Screen Comeback
Fans flooded her with support, urging her to prioritise her health. One wrote: "Beverly you are lovely and you are doing so well, love your feisty outlook! Be kind to yourself xx" Another said: "Please listen to your body Bev and don’t overdo it, I’ve been there a few years ago and don’t feel guilty, you need to rest and relax and you’ll feel a lot better very soon."
A third wrote: "Bev your a strong beautiful lady and you will get there i promise you. Just be gentle on yourself your an absolute diamond and have been through so much. Sending you lot's of love and positive healings."
Callard, who appeared on I'm A Celebrity...South Africa earlier this year but missed the live final due to health, told fans her Fair City comeback was days away but she felt "worried" because scenes were filmed during treatment. She said: "I am worried because on Thursday 6th August, Lily, the character I play is back on screen in Fair City and when I filmed all those scenes, I was going through radiotherapy then.
"So I keep thinking 'I hope I've not let anyone down, I hope I've not let myself down.' So I'm anxious about that, I'm a worrier. I always worry about work all the time but yeah, I'm quite anxious and nervous about that. Not that I'll be watching it, because I don't watch myself - ever! So there you go. We will see."
