Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor has revealed she fainted upon being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, at the same time her character Sally Metcalfe was battling the disease on screen. The 60-year-old actress recalled thinking her doctor had confused her with her fictional counterpart.
Dynevor, who has played Sally Metcalfe since 1986, discovered a lump after reading scripts for the soap's breast cancer storyline. She visited the show's nurse shortly after, and following filming of her character's diagnosis, received the real-life news. She told BBC Breakfast she fainted and said, 'I think you're getting me mixed up with my character'.
The actress is now fronting a campaign by Prevent Breast Cancer to train more medical staff in screening. The charity notes breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with over 55,900 diagnoses annually. Its Honorary President, Lester Barr, who advised on the Corrie storyline, highlighted a workforce shortage in diagnostic breast clinics.
Dynevor, mother of Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor, said she thought breast cancer only affected older people, but met a 22-year-old diagnosed with the disease. She emphasised the importance of screening, saying she does not want her daughters to go through the same experience.
