Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard has marked a major milestone in her breast cancer battle by completing her final radiotherapy session. The 69-year-old actress, who plays Liz McDonald on the ITV soap, announced the news on Instagram on July 16, 2026, sharing a video from an outdoor location with a huge smile.
Beverley Callard's cancer journey
Callard first revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in February 2026 via Instagram. She later appeared on RTÉ's The Late Late Show, telling host Patrick Kielty how she discovered she had the disease. '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', and my consultant rang me and said, 'You've got to come back to the UK.' 'I said, 'Well I can't possibly, I've just taken a new job, I'm away for a month',' she recalled. She reassured fans: 'I was diagnosed with breast cancer, but I'm fine. I'm absolutely fine.'
'I've done it!' – Celebrating the end of radiotherapy
In her Instagram video, Callard announced: 'I've done it! I've just finished my last radiotherapy session, fingers crossed. That was number 10 for me and, lots of people have to have lots more, I know that. But for now, that's finished. So hopefully – I don't know for sure – but hopefully I won't need any more.' Her husband, Jon McEwan, encouraged her with 'Positive thinking, darling!' to which she replied, 'I know, positive thinking, yes, definitely.'
Reflecting on the milestone, Callard said: 'To be honest, I feel a bit numb, because yesterday I really struggled, but today I've been fine. And now I've got to see the professor again in two months, and then I'll know a lot more. Mammograms and oncologists and all that, but radiotherapy is finished for now, so I'm really thrilled. I'm not going to celebrate tonight. We're too tired. We can't be bothered. I'm going to put scruffy clothes on and just sit and watch TV with a cup of tea.'
Outpouring of support from fans and co-stars
The comments on her video were flooded with love. Former co-stars Denise Welch and Anthony Crank responded with 'Woohoo!!!!' and 'Well done you WARRIOR', respectively. Fan @houlihan wrote: 'Well done and congratulations Beverly. Its a wonderful day and a surreal day as well. Enjoy your time now….all will be well.' @duffyjane added: 'I am so happy for you Beverley! You are always so positive and caring towards others going through their own cancer journey. Enjoy your cuppa and have a lovely weekend. Jon is incredible too btw.'
Callard captioned the video: 'And that's a wrap on radiotherapy! 10 sessions over and done with! Lots more appointments down the line but for now…I'm so happy for it to be over! Celebrating with a cuppa on the sofa.'
