Tracy Shaw, best known for her role as Maxine Peacock on Coronation Street, reunited with fellow soap star Sally Ann Matthews for a sun-filled afternoon as Shaw continues her battle with breast cancer. The two actresses, who became close friends while touring together in the play Mum’s The Word in 2010, spent hours laughing and enjoying homemade ginger biscuits and sunflowers.
Instagram celebration
Shaw shared a series of photos on Instagram set to Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,’ captioning the post: ‘Never stopped laughing #sallyannmatthews. Meet for an hour. Brunch led to lunch. 3 hours of glorious laughter. Homemade ginger biscuits and sunflowers, I was spoilt. We met on tour years ago and we haven’t stopped laughing since. Love you Sal.’
The post drew an outpouring of support from former Coronation Street co-stars, including Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe, who wrote: ‘Love this,’ and Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria Connor, adding: ‘Gorgeous you two!’ Fans also expressed admiration, with @gigiholman commenting: ‘This is friendship in its purest form…pick up where you left off, always there, laughing until you cry…so glad you have these people in your life.’
Cancer journey update
Shaw has been transparent about her cancer treatment, and the day before the reunion, she posted a video expressing gratitude for those who have faced similar battles. ‘I am so grateful. I am so grateful!’ she said. ‘When the cycle gets to this point, I realise – even though I feel that I have gratitude every day – the simplest of things feel like a miracle.’
She described the challenges of chemotherapy, noting that the treatment has affected her heart, liver, lungs, and bladder. ‘I can feel that they’re struggling this time, which is why all the scans are booked for this point,’ she explained. Shaw, who is halfway through chemo and yet to undergo surgery or radiotherapy, thanked other women who have gone through the experience: ‘I just want to thank every woman who has been through this and share some light on you all for being absolutely amazing.’
Friendship across decades
Interestingly, Shaw and Matthews never shared scenes on Coronation Street, as Shaw’s character Maxine was killed off in 2003 during Matthews’ long break from the soap. Matthews returned to the show in 2014 as Jenny Bradley. Their friendship, forged on stage, has endured through Shaw’s health struggles.
