Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard, who starred as Liz McDonald on the soap, has shared an update with fans amid her cancer battle after learning that it had spread to a lymph node
19:25, 30 Apr 2026Updated 20:04, 30 Apr 2026
Beverley Callard explains relief after her latest cancer update
Beverley Callard became emotional as she shared the latest update amid her cancer battle. The actress, 69, announced in February this year that she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and has been open and honest with her fans about the whole ordeal ever since.
In March, the former I’m A Celebrity…South Africa star underwent her first operation and, after a delay in getting the results from that procedure, discovered around six weeks later that while the cancer was removed then, it had spread to a lymph node and she has been awaiting further news since then.
Following further tests that took place in America, Beverley, who recently relocated to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan so she could star in the BBC soap Fair City, took to Instagram on Thursday to share the update. She said: “I’ve got absolutely great news, one of the lymph nodes that they’d sent over for testing to see how aggressive the cancer would be and it’s on low numbers, which is really good.
“That means I can begin the radiotherapy very soon, which I’m pleased about. So the next step is coming ahead. Thank you for all your messages, I’m sending loads of love. I am popping champagne! Wahey!”
READ MORE: Beverley Callard tearfully says ‘I’m trying’ amid cancer battleREAD MORE: Beverley Callard’s cancer journey in full as she misses I’m A Celeb final
Beverley became emotional as she said she was ‘relieved’ by the latest update(Image: INSTAGRAM/beverleycallard)
The soap legend was seen popping the champange (Image: INSTAGRAM/beverleycallard)
Beverley, who is best known for having starred as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, captioned the post: “Well… the results are in and we are popping the champagne! I can’t begin to explain the relief… now on to the next steps. What a journey it’s been so far… sending love and thanks to everyone.”
In the Instagram Reel, the star popped champagne and her husband Jon quipped: “What a f****** journey!”
The soap legend was inundated with messages from fans, with one writing: “Great news! Rest up ahead of RT and keep smiling,” whilst another said: “So pleased for you Bev. You are being so strong and got great support around you.”
Her husband Jon remarked that the whole thing had been ‘a f****** journey'(Image: INSTAGRAM/beverleycallard)
Bev was seen full of joy as they lifted a glass to toast the news (Image: INSTAGRAM/beverleycallard)
A third wrote: “You deserve great news. Sending lots of love and strength from Ireland. God bless,” and a fourth said: “The best news,i wish u the very best,will you have your treatment in ireland, be easier than travelling.”
The positive update comes just days after the star was forced to pull out of the live final of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa due to her health, and admitted that she had been left “wiped out” after having a late night to make a virtual appearance via Zoom for an interview.
She said: “The internet went down half way through so I didn’t finish. Did my make-up and stuck my eyelashes on and all that and it was hardly worth it, but never mind. I was wiped for days – does anyone else feel like that with one late night?
“Is that what cancer does to you sometimes? I’m still waiting for my results which I hope to get Thursday. I’m trying, I’m trying. Thank you for all your messages.”
Beverley first revealed news of her diagnosis in February during an appearance on RTE’s Late Late Show, and explained that she received the diagnosis just minutes before she was due on set for her new soap role.
She said: “I’ve had some tests just before I left the UK, and literally, 15, 20 minutes before 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’, whatever.
Soap legend Beverley starred as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street(Image: ITV)
The actress competed on I’m A Celebrity…South Africa but had to miss the live final due to her health(Image: Getty Images)
“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 said ‘I’m away for a month’, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“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.”
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.
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