Coronation Street Icon Beverley Callard Opens Up About Difficult Post-Operative Recovery
Beloved Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard has shared an emotional and vulnerable update regarding her ongoing battle with breast cancer, confessing she is feeling scared and struggling to eat on the fourth day following a significant surgical procedure.
A Challenging Post-Operative Period
The 68-year-old television star, who announced on February 19 that she was scheduled for a major operation the following day to remove lymph nodes as a preventative measure, has been documenting her recovery journey with her followers. In her latest update, she revealed the physical and emotional toll the process is taking.
"I'm not in pain, I'm really sore under my arm and I still have dressings on," Beverley explained in a video message. "I don't know what I look like and I'm scared of that." She expressed deep concerns about her appearance and intimacy with her husband, Jon, whom she married in 2010, questioning whether they would "still be swinging from the chandeliers" and if she would remain attractive.
Struggling with Basic Needs and Appetite
The actress admitted that her recovery has been particularly difficult, noting she had been too exhausted to post an update the previous day, describing herself as "completely knackered" and unable to perform simple tasks like combing her hair. She has been napping intermittently throughout the day.
Perhaps most concerning is her complete loss of appetite. Beverley shared that her husband Jon has been "force feeding" her as she has "no appetite whatsoever", though she emphasized she is trying her best to eat. Despite these challenges, she maintained a positive outlook, stating, "I'm doing OK. I'm doing OK."
Upcoming Medical Appointment and Previous Cancer Battle
Beverley has a hospital appointment scheduled to determine if she will require a second operation. Her breast cancer was fortunately detected in the early stages, and she has stated she will require radiotherapy as part of her treatment plan.
This is not the actress's first encounter with cancer. She was previously diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 32, which she successfully overcame. She has been motivated to speak publicly about her current health struggle by other "strong, feisty women" and remains determined to beat cancer once again.
A Storied Career and Recent Work
Beverley Callard became a household name through her role as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, joining the iconic soap in 1989 and departing in 2020 after three decades. She left the show to explore other roles and combat ageism in the entertainment industry. Most recently, she joined the cast of the legendary Irish soap Fair City.
The actress first announced her breast cancer diagnosis on Ireland's Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty, assuring fans at the time that she was remaining "positive and strong" throughout her health journey.
