While her character faces turmoil on the cobbles of Weatherfield, Coronation Street actress Vicky Myers has navigated profound personal challenges in her own life, including a difficult divorce and a battle with skin cancer.
From the Cobbles to Real-Life Drama
Vicky Myers is best known to millions of ITV soap fans as the tenacious police officer DS Lisa Swain. The character first arrived on the famous street in 2021, investigating the rape of Amy Barlow, played by Elle Mulvaney. Since then, Lisa has been central to major plots, from solving murders to becoming a suspect herself, and even finding love with Carla Connor, portrayed by Alison King.
However, away from the television cameras, Myers' life has been marked by its own share of heartbreak and hardship. In 2010, her world changed dramatically when she became a single mother. The separation from her partner was a deeply painful period, which she has since described with raw honesty.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Just months after her divorce, a routine medical appointment for her nephew led to a life-altering discovery for Vicky herself. Doctors noticed a suspicious mark on her skin, which subsequent tests revealed to be skin cancer.
Reflecting on this tumultuous time in a 2024 interview with the Mirror, Myers shared how the diagnosis forced a profound shift in perspective. "I don't know if it's my previous medical history, but I am so proud to be here and just to be living each day to the full," she said.
She underwent reconstructive surgery, during which her ex-partner stepped in to help care for their daughter, Meghan. The experience, she revealed, pulled her out of the bitterness she felt after the marriage ended. "When my husband and I split up, I was quite down, bitter and vengeful," Myers admitted. "When I was told I had [cancer], I remember thinking, 'If this is it for me, I've missed out on all this time with my daughter, and I haven't really been the best person that I wanted to be.'"
A Newfound Appreciation for Life and Work
The health scare acted as a powerful reset button. "The diagnosis re-centred me and made me focus on what is really important and what makes me happy," the actress explained. This renewed gratitude now extends to her professional life on the set of one of Britain's most beloved television programmes.
"Now, every time I go into work and see the Coronation Street sign, it's quite overwhelming," she confessed, highlighting the value she now places on her role and the opportunity it provides.
On screen, her character's storyline continues to captivate audiences. Recently, Lisa's rekindled romance with Carla Connor has hit rocky ground, partly due to interference from her ex-wife, Becky. In episodes airing in early January 2026, viewers saw Lisa confide in Kit Green about the strained relationship, leaving fans wondering if the popular couple will reconcile.
Vicky Myers' journey, from personal adversity to a cherished place on the Coronation Street cast, stands as a testament to her resilience. Her story is a powerful reminder of the real people behind the fictional drama, facing their own battles with courage and emerging with a deeper appreciation for every moment.
