Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard has admitted she is struggling to sleep amid her cancer battle. The 69-year-old actress, who was diagnosed with early-stage cancer earlier this year, recently completed radiotherapy treatment. In a new video posted to Instagram on Monday evening, she opened up about her ongoing side effects and anxiety.
Struggling to rest
Speaking in the video, Callard said: "I'm trying to rest, it's still difficult to sleep. My skin is driving me insane, it's burning, it's itching. I want to [scratch] all the time. I'm not, but I want to. I'm still nauseous every now and again but maybe it's not quite as bad now. But it's just so difficult to sleep. I'll get there."
The actress, best known for playing Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, relocated to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan to join the cast of RTE's Fair City. She also appeared on I'm A Celebrity...South Africa earlier this year but had to miss the live final due to her health.
Anxious about return to screen
Callard explained she will be back on screen in Fair City in the coming days, with her character Lily returning on Thursday 6th August. She said: "I am worried because on Thursday 6th August, Lily, the character I play is back on screen in Fair City and when I filmed all those scenes, I was going through radiotherapy then. So I keep thinking 'I hope I've not let anyone down, I hope I've not let myself down.' So I'm anxious about that, I'm a worrier. I always worry about work all the time but yeah, I'm quite anxious and nervous about that. Not that I'll be watching it, because I don't watch myself - ever! So there you go. We will see."
In the caption of her post, she said: "A lazy couple of days… just what I needed! Although… when I’m not busy, the anxious thoughts creep back in! Can’t win really."
Support from fans
Followers quickly offered support in the comments. One wrote: "You always give it 100%, it will be fab," while another suggested: "Have a look at clear minds hypnotherapy, they have all sorts for sleep, really good." A third commented: "Bev you have been an absolute warrior all the way throughout this horrendous journey you have done utterly amazing ..please just REST REST REST...you will have done amazzzzing in the show i am positive."
Earlier, the actress admitted she found it "really strange" adjusting to life after finishing treatment. She said: "Do you know what struck me? It's so strange. I've now finished radiotherapy. When you're going through it, everyone is on the phone to you all the time - nurses ringing you, then aftercare and everything. I finished last Thursday and suddenly - silence. The side effects are getting worse, which I didn't really expect. But it's the silence more than anything, you've got all these people pampering you more than anything and then suddenly it stops. It's really strange."
