Soap opera icon Beverley Callard has publicly announced her recent breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 68. The beloved actress, best known for her long-running role in Coronation Street, received the life-altering news just moments before filming her first scene for Irish soap Fair City in Dublin.
A Shocking Diagnosis During a New Chapter
Beverley Callard had recently relocated to Dublin to begin filming for Fair City, where she was scheduled to appear for four weeks initially, with plans for a more extended stint afterward. In a candid revelation on RTÉ's The Late Late Show, she described receiving the diagnosis from her consultant while waiting nervously in her dressing room, literally 15 to 20 minutes before stepping onto the set for her new role.
'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",' she told host Patrick Kielty. '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
Fortunately, doctors detected the cancer at an early stage, which Beverley acknowledges puts her alongside thousands of other women facing similar battles. Her treatment plan involves returning to the United Kingdom for surgery and radiotherapy. She explained that she would travel back for a couple of weeks to undergo tests on lymph nodes and glands before her operation.
'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,' she stated reassuringly. Beverley emphasised her intention to return to Fair City after treatment, expecting to be back on set within just a few weeks.
Overwhelming Support from Fans and Colleagues
Following her announcement, an outpouring of support flooded in from fans, colleagues, and the production team at Fair City. The show shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, sending 'lots of love and well wishes', while followers praised her courage and strength.
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.' Another fan, Ali Fox, added, 'You're incredible Beverley ❤️ we'll be waiting for ya with open arms.' Many others described her as a 'true inspiration' and thanked her for encouraging women to prioritise early testing.
Personal Update and Gratitude
After returning home to Norfolk, Beverley took to Instagram herself to express her gratitude for the overwhelming support. In a video message, she said, 'I really want to say thank you so much to everyone for your wonderful messages. Everybody's been truly fantastic.'
She continued with a positive outlook, stating, 'And I also want to say, I'm feeling really positive and I'm very strong. I begin hospital stuff and everything now I'm home. Everything begins this week. On Wednesday, they're testing Lymph nodes and glands, and I will keep everybody updated. I'm so appreciative of all the love that's come in. Thank you.'
New Role in Fair City and Future Plans
Beverley Callard is joining Fair City as Lily, the long-lost mother of existing character Gwen Connolly. She expressed excitement about this new chapter, revealing that she and her husband plan to move to County Wicklow, saying, 'we truly love it so much. It's blowing us away.'
Her first appearance on the Irish soap opera is set to air on February 19. Reflecting on her decision to take the role, she explained how she became 'addicted' to Fair City after initially hesitating. '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."'
Having acted in Coronation Street from 1989 to 2020, Beverley's move to Fair City marks a significant career transition, now coupled with a personal health journey that she faces with remarkable resilience and openness.
