Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor has admitted she would portray her character's breast cancer storyline 'very differently' following her own personal battle with the disease. The 62-year-old actress, who has played Sally Metcalfe on the ITV soap since 1986, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 46 – on the same day she filmed the scene where her character broke the news to her on-screen husband.
Speaking to Prima magazine, Dynevor said: 'I think there are moments in the show that, like the breast cancer storyline, which, if I went back, I think I would have done very differently. In the sense that because I got it myself, I realised what it was like to go through breast cancer and how much you hide your pain from people you love.' She explained that she originally played the character as 'very emotional and upset', but now believes she would have portrayed it with more restraint.
Reflecting on her return to work after six months off, Dynevor said: 'The first day when I came back... I felt incredibly emotional and so grateful... to be doing what you enjoy doing, you're just so grateful for having that opportunity again.' She described her role on Coronation Street as the 'perfect job' and admitted she never imagined she would remain on the cobbles for four decades.
Dynevor, who received an MBE for services to drama in 2021, said she has no plans to retire: 'I don't think I'm ever going to retire. I'll stay here as long as they want me... When you love what you do, why would you want to retire?' She is married to Emmerdale scriptwriter Tim Dynevor and has three children, including Phoebe, who starred in Bridgerton.
