Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison shared her upcoming onscreen hopes after opening up about her secret cancer battle.
The soap icon – who played Heather Trott in the BBC show from 2007 until 2012 – has confessed that she thought she was going to die after being diagnosed with stage 2 womb cancer in 2015.
Eight years on, however, she feels empowered to tell her story to inspire others.
‘It was a horrendous time,’ the 58-year-old admitted.
She added in an interview with OK!: ‘There were some dark moments, especially at night, when I thought, “Am I going to die? Am I going to leave my husband without a wife, my son without a mum?”
‘But the time is right to talk about it all now. I’m hoping my story might empower other women.
‘I’ve been through a lot but I’m still here. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’
Following her reveal, Cheryl reshared the article on Twitter/X writing: ‘Maybe not the news you were all expecting but yes I would love to be on your screens again , after this I really need to be back on the top of my game , life is for living and so I look forward to new exciting projects.’
The actress currently resides in the seaside town of Blackpool with her husband of 12 years.
Cheryl is a mum to 38-year-old Yassine, as well as son Alex, 24, from her first marriage.
She received her diagnosis after attending a regular smear test, which came back clear.
However, shortly after, she started experiencing back pain and spotting blood, which she recognised as abnormal.
‘I just knew something didn’t feel right.’
I’ve been through a lot but I’m still here. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
The 2012 Celebrity Big Brother housemate had tests and a biopsy at the hospital and four months later, she was given the cancer diagnosis.
Recalling what the moment felt like, Cheryl said she was in a state of ‘absolute shock’ and ‘stunned to the core’.
‘I couldn’t believe the doctor was talking about me.’
While she tried her hardest to remain optimistic, it was far from easy, especially when her dreams of having another child were shattered and early menopause also came.
Following X-rays, Cheryl was recommended for a full hysterectomy just weeks later.
Expressing his own fears, Cheryl’s husband, Yass, said: ‘I thought I was going to lose her. I knew by her tone of voice that it was something bad and back then, in my head, when you said cancer, it meant death.’
The 38-year-old described Cheryl as ‘the strongest, most amazing person I have ever met’.
As for her other loved ones, Cheryl chose to keep her health woes hidden for the most part.
The star – whose EastEnders character was murdered by Ben Mitchell – only trusted a few showbiz pals with the devastating news, including Dame Barbara Windsor, June Brown, and Steve McFadden.
She also confided in entertainment icons Paul O’Grady and Julian Clary.
Cheryl described their support as ‘meaning the world’, especially from her EastEnders co-stars who were ‘great’ at reassuring her with her problems.
The likes of Dame Barbara even offered to pay her bills while she wasn’t earning, and Steve, aka Phil Mitchell, arranged for her to stay in his Cornish home after her hysterectomy.
Fast forward to now and Cheryl feels able to tell her story.
On her advice to others, she said: ‘Listen to your body. Even if it’s the smallest concern – go and get checked because if you haven’t got health, you’ve not got no wealth.
‘I’ve come through it and so can others. It’s all about living life now.
‘I’m ready to fly.’
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
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