Coronation Street star Beverley Callard has admitted feeling nervous as she returned to work while awaiting the start of her radiotherapy treatment following a breast cancer diagnosis. The actress, known for playing Liz McDonald on the ITV soap, joined Irish soap Fair City earlier this year as new character Lily Patterson, relocating to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan.
Diagnosis and Initial Treatment
In January, Callard revealed she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, receiving the news just 20 minutes before filming her first scenes on Fair City. She underwent surgery to remove three lymph nodes as a precaution, and her consultant confirmed the procedure went well, managing to "cut the cancer out." However, she later disclosed that her radiotherapy should have started sooner, and she has been waiting to begin that treatment.
Return to Work Update
As her radiotherapy is expected to begin in early July, Callard took to social media on Monday, June 22, to update fans on her first day back at work. In a video, 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."
Later, she shared a positive update from home, saying: "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." She added that her co-stars were pleased to see her and that she shared many laughs, particularly with Emily, who plays her daughter on the show.
Social Media Response
Captioning her post, Callard wrote: "Back to work today! Felt really nervous about it but once I was there it was like I’d never been away! Had lots of giggles which were very much needed." Former co-star and Loose Women panelist Denise Welch commented: "You look 25!!!"
