Soap opera legend Beverley Callard has publicly shared her recent breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 68. The celebrated actress, best known for her long-running role in Coronation Street, received the life-changing news just moments before filming her first scene for Irish soap Fair City in Dublin.
Shocking Diagnosis During Career Move
Beverley Callard revealed that she learned about her cancer diagnosis "literally 15 to 20 minutes before" she was due to begin filming for her new role in Fair City. The actress had recently relocated to Dublin to join the cast of the popular Irish soap opera, where she was scheduled to film for four weeks initially, with plans for a more extended engagement to follow.
"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'," Beverley explained during an emotional appearance on RTÉ's The Late Late Show. "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.'"
Treatment Plan and Positive Outlook
Despite the shocking timing of her diagnosis, Beverley remains optimistic about her prognosis. Medical professionals have detected the cancer at an early stage, which significantly improves her treatment outlook. The actress will be returning to the United Kingdom for surgery and radiotherapy treatment.
"I travel back to the UK tomorrow, just for a couple of weeks," Beverley explained regarding her immediate plans. "They're going to test lymph nodes and lymph glands and all that. I need an operation and some radiotherapy, and then I'm coming back to Fair City, so I will be back in just a few weeks."
The actress emphasized her determination to continue with her professional commitments, stating: "But I'm fine. I'm absolutely fine. My head was a bit mashed for the first few days. It's very early stages, and I'm along with thousands of other women as well."
Overwhelming Support from Fans and Colleagues
Following her courageous public announcement, Beverley has received an outpouring of support from fans, colleagues, and the production team at Fair City. The show's official Instagram account shared a message sending "lots of love and well wishes" to the beloved actress.
Fitness influencer Leigh Linton commented: "I love you... amazing that you have put it out there on your terms! You've got this, like I said, one of the strongest women I know." Fellow supporter Ali Fox added: "You're incredible Beverley ❤️ we'll be waiting for ya with open arms."
Many fans have praised Beverley for her bravery in sharing her diagnosis publicly, noting that her openness could encourage other women to pursue regular screenings and early detection of breast cancer.
New Chapter in Ireland
Beverley Callard's move to Ireland represents a significant career transition following her iconic 31-year tenure on Coronation Street, which spanned from 1989 to 2020. She joins Fair City as Lily, the long-lost mother of existing character Gwen Connolly.
The actress expressed genuine enthusiasm for her new professional home, revealing that she and her husband plan to relocate to County Wicklow permanently. "We truly love it so much. It's blowing us away," she shared about her experience in Ireland.
Reflecting on her decision to join Fair City, Beverley explained: "I got asked to do it almost a year ago now, and I said, 'Oh I don't know if I can do another soap, I don't know whether I should do that'. And they said, 'Well, just have a look at it'. In the UK it's quite difficult to get and so I was watching it on my computer, and I just became addicted to Fair City and I just thought, this is fantastic."
She particularly praised the production quality, noting: "The editing is so good. The scripts are amazing. Got my husband to have a look at it. And I said, 'I can't say no to this'."
Beverley Callard's first appearance on Fair City is scheduled to air on February 19, marking the beginning of what promises to be a memorable new chapter in her distinguished acting career, even as she navigates her health journey with characteristic strength and resilience.
