Beverley Callard has declared she is feeling "positive and strong" following her recent breast cancer diagnosis, as she shared a heartfelt health update with her devoted fans. The celebrated Coronation Street actress, aged 68, disclosed her battle with the disease during an appearance on an Irish chat show, where she was promoting her new role in the soap opera Fair City.
Early Detection and Treatment Plans
Beverley reassured supporters that the cancer was detected at an early stage, but she will need to return to the United Kingdom for necessary radiotherapy and surgical procedures. In a fresh update delivered on Monday, the actress confirmed she has now returned home to Norfolk after travelling by ferry with her husband, Jon McEwan, and their beloved dogs.
Gratitude and Resilience
Speaking directly to the camera, Beverley expressed her deep appreciation, stating: "I really want to say thank you so much to everyone for your wonderful messages. Everybody has been truly fantastic." She added, "And I also want to say I'm feeling really positive and I'm very strong. I begin hospital stuff and everything now I'm home."
She detailed that her medical journey commences this week, with tests scheduled for Wednesday to examine lymph nodes and glands, promising to keep everyone informed throughout the process. Beverley emphasised her gratitude for the overwhelming support, remarking, "I'm so appreciative of all the love that's coming, thank you."
Diagnosis Announcement
Beverley initially announced her diagnosis last Friday on The Late Late Show, hosted by Patrick Kielty. She revealed the shocking news came just 20 minutes before she was due to film her first scenes for her new role on Fair City.
Recounting the moment, she explained: "I'd had some tests just before I left the UK and literally 15 to 20 minutes before [her first scene] I was in my dressing room at Fair City, getting ready to go on, and I was quite nervous and thinking, 'I hope everybody thinks I'm all right, whatever'. And my consultant rang me and said, 'you've got to come back to the UK'. I said, 'well I can't possibly, you know, I've just taken a new job I'm away for a month'."
Maintaining a Positive Outlook
Despite the diagnosis, Beverley maintained an upbeat perspective, stating: "I'm fine. I'm absolutely fine. My head was a bit mashed for the first few days. It's very early stages, and I'm along with, you know, thousands of other women as well."
New Role and Recent Controversy
The soap star has signed on to portray Lily, the long-lost mother of the established Fair City character Gwen, played by Emily Lamey, on the RTÉ programme. Promotional images released previously show Beverley in character, wearing a black leather jacket in one shot and a cream ruffled jacket with a denim jumpsuit in another, posing beside a "Welcome to Carrigstown" sign.
Last month, Beverley was compelled to address speculation that she was using weight-loss injections after showcasing her slim figure. In a video message to fans, she clarified that her physique results from hard work and lifelong fitness dedication, not any pharmaceutical aids.
She confirmed that her impressive weight loss was not due to "any weight loss jabs" but rather her persistent efforts. Beverley noted she "would not knock anybody" for using such treatments and encouraged individuals "to do what they need to do" for their health.
Beverley Callard is best known for her iconic portrayal of Liz McDonald in the ITV soap Coronation Street, a role she played intermittently from 1989 until 2020. Her candidness about her health journey continues to inspire and resonate with fans worldwide.
