Coronation Street icons Tracy Shaw and Sally Ann Matthews reunited for a sun-drenched afternoon as Shaw continues her battle with breast cancer. The two actresses, who became firm friends while touring together in the play Mum’s The Word in 2010, shared a joyous meeting that Shaw documented on Instagram.
A Long-Awaited Reunion
Shaw, best known for playing Maxine in Coronation Street, posted a series of photos with Matthews set to Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.’ In the caption, she wrote: ‘Never stopped laughing #sallyannmatthews. Meet for an hour. Brunch led to lunch. 3 hours of glorious laughter. Homemade ginger biscuits and sunflowers, I was spoilt. We met on tour years ago and we haven’t stopped laughing since. Love you Sal.’
Interestingly, the two never crossed paths on the Cobbles: Shaw’s character Maxine was killed off during Matthews’ long break from the show. Their friendship blossomed away from the screen, and the reunion was met with an outpouring of support from former co-stars. Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe, commented ‘Love this,’ while Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria Connor, added ‘Gorgeous you two!’
Gratitude Amid Treatment
The day before the reunion, Shaw shared a heartfelt video expressing gratitude for those who have supported her through chemotherapy. ‘I am so grateful. I am so grateful!’ she began, taking in fresh air. ‘When the cycle gets to this point, I realise – even though I feel that I have gratitude every day – the simplest of things feel like a miracle.’
Shaw, who is halfway through chemotherapy and yet to undergo surgery or radiotherapy, spoke candidly about the pain: ‘It’s really painful… when people say this too shall pass, sometimes it’s like… Argh! Not now, though, is it? But it does. And this body, your bodies are remarkable.’ She explained that the chemo has attacked her heart, liver, lungs, and bladder, and that scans are booked to monitor the damage.
Tribute to Women Fighting Cancer
Shaw used the video to thank every woman who has gone through a similar journey. ‘Many, many women do this in silence and they have young families and just get on with it and it completely changes everything in your life. And the only thing you have to focus on is staying well, but just getting through the next day.’ She also paid tribute to those who lost their lives testing drugs: ‘Because many people have actually lost their lives testing drugs out to save other people’s lives like heroes and they are just not, they’re not mentioned, they’re not seen and they’re not heard and I think they should be.’
The reunion and Shaw’s openness have drawn widespread support, highlighting the power of friendship and gratitude during a challenging health battle.
