Beverley Callard Sets Record Straight on I'm A Celeb Filming Amid Health Battle
Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard has publicly addressed confusion surrounding the filming schedule of I'm A Celebrity South Africa while continuing to share her ongoing breast cancer journey with supporters. The beloved actress, renowned for her long-running role as Liz McDonald on the ITV soap, appears in the latest series of the reality television programme, which premiered on Easter Monday.
Clarifying Filming Confusion for Concerned Fans
In a recent Instagram video, Beverley Callard took the opportunity to clear up misunderstandings among viewers who were puzzled by the timing of her reality show appearance announcement coinciding with her cancer diagnosis. The actress explicitly confirmed that the series was pre-recorded, stating, "I know everybody thinks I'm suddenly going away to South Africa, I'm not, we did film it a little while ago." She enthusiastically encouraged her followers to tune in, describing the show as "frightening, wonderful, horrifying, funny, terrifying, exhilarating" and assuring audiences it represents "great television."
Health Journey and Career Milestones
Beverley Callard disclosed her breast cancer diagnosis in February, revealing on Patrick Kielty's RTÉ programme The Late Late Show that medical professionals had detected the cancer at an early stage. The 68-year-old actress has been undergoing treatment, including surgical intervention to remove two lymph nodes to prevent further spread, followed by radiotherapy. Despite her health challenges, she recently embarked on a new leading role in Fair City and maintains regular communication with her fanbase through brief video updates on social media platforms.
Return to Reality Television with Celebrity Cast
This marks Beverley Callard's second appearance on I'm A Celebrity, having previously participated in the 2020 series filmed at a Welsh castle during pandemic restrictions. Reflecting on her initial experience, she noted it significantly boosted her confidence, explaining, "It gave me confidence. I do tend to suffer from low self-esteem and without sounding big-headed, because people kept telling me they loved me and how down to earth I was, it gave me confidence and it was lovely to be with such a wonderful group of people." The current South Africa series features an impressive celebrity lineup including:
- Actor and television presenter Adam Thomas
- Heart radio DJ Ashley Roberts
- Television presenter Scarlett Moffatt
- Former champion boxer David Haye
- Comedian Seann Walsh
- Pop icon Sinitta
- Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah
- Television personality Gemma Collins
- Actor and DJ Craig Charles
- Ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard
Through her candid communication, Beverley Callard continues to balance her public career commitments with personal health transparency, offering both clarification about television production schedules and inspirational updates about her medical journey to her dedicated audience.
