Following her shock cancer revelation on the Late Late, soap queen Beverley Callard says can’t wait to return to Ireland after her treatment – and the Corrie legend hints and one of the Irish delights she’ll miss most…

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Beverley Callard, known for her role on Coronation Street, surprised everyone on Friday night’s Late Late Show when she shared that she’d recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. The outpouring of support she received from across Ireland was immediately and deeply felt.

After sharing the upsetting news with Patrick – just as she was preparing to film her first scenes on Fair City – the live studio audience reacted with a heartfelt and spontaneous applause.

On Irish social media, the well-wishes were almost as instantaneous. 

She told Kielty that she admired strong, spirited women, and she felt Ireland was full of them.

The day after sharing her diagnosis, she told the Irish Mail on Sunday that she’s heartbroken to leave Dublin and travel to England for cancer treatment. However, she also expressed her hope to eventually move to Ireland permanently.

Beverley Callard, best known for playing Liz McDonald on Coronation Street for more than three decades, recently told the Irish Mail on Sunday that she has no desire to return to the show. She shared that she and her family have been enjoying a wonderful few weeks in Ireland.

Jon and I are really looking forward to returning in a couple of weeks, if all goes well. We’re currently finishing up at our Airbnb and getting ready for the ferry.

I’m making a cheese and onion crisp sandwich to give me some energy for the trip!

Gwen’s long-lost mother, Lily – played by actress Ms. Callard – returned to the UK yesterday to start treatment for breast cancer. She will first appear in the soap opera next week.

Before her surgery and radiation treatment, she’ll get her lymph nodes checked, and then she’ll go back to Dublin.

Ms. Callard shared that she’s feeling well and strong. She’s relieved to have spoken openly about her experience, hoping it will help other women going through similar challenges.

I’m feeling quite strong and optimistic, although it’s starting to feel more real now that I’m going back to the hospital next week, which is a little scary.

I’m really excited to return to Fair City and work with the fantastic cast and crew again. I especially enjoy the fast pace of filming in the studio, moving quickly from one scene to the next.

‘The writing has been amazing and I just can’t wait for more.’

Ms Callard revealed on Friday’s Late Late Show that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

She explained to Patrick Kielty that she’d recently had some medical tests before starting work on ‘Fair City’. Just 15 or 20 minutes before filming her first scene, while getting ready in her dressing room, she was feeling anxious and hoping she seemed okay to everyone.

My consultant called and urged me to return to the UK. I explained that wasn’t possible because I had just started a new job.

‘I said, “I’m away for a month” – and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.’

The famous actress explained to the Mail on Sunday that she hadn’t visited Ireland much before landing the role, and her previous trips were usually just for events like award ceremonies.

She admitted she’s never been one to shy away from having fun. ‘I definitely enjoy letting loose and going out,’ she said.

The 68-year-old actress shared how people’s opinions changed during a big story on Coronation Street in the mid-1990s.

Liz, a character on the show, experienced domestic abuse from her husband, Jim, who was portrayed by Charlie Lawson, an actor from Enniskillen.

When Ms. Callard and Liz first joined the soap opera, Jim’s character was a classic, loud, and bossy sergeant major, and Liz’s character was rather timid. However, the two actresses agreed to portray their roles in a new way.

He would remain expressive and dramatic, but with a newfound openness, while she would possess remarkable inner strength.

Ms. Callard explained that when they first aired the storyline involving abuse, viewers initially felt sympathy for Liz, completely and without question.

‘I got bin liners full of fan mail saying, “This is amazing,” and all the rest of it.

After four weeks, public opinion had completely turned in favor of Jim, and people generally felt bad for him. The writers portrayed both characters effectively, showing that each had both flaws and redeeming qualities.

Ms. Callard says she wouldn’t have considered joining another soap opera after leaving Coronation Street due to the demanding and constant work schedule they require.

The actress, having previously appeared on both Emmerdale and Coronation Street, first connected with the team behind Fair City about a year ago, starting the process that led to her joining the show.

I really enjoyed how the story focused on everyday people and their lives. The writing and acting were both excellent, and the overall production quality, including the lighting, was really well done. It felt like a classic, realistic drama.

It feels like the early days of Coronation Street, and I mean that in the best way possible – it’s a real compliment.

Lily will portray the character with her own natural accent and will be very different from the original performer, Liz. Her clothing choices will also be distinct, and the creative team won’t be opting for any revealing or trendy outfits like mini skirts and Lycra.

The actress admitted she was ‘terrified’ in the first few days of shooting.

‘Everybody said to me, “You can’t possibly be terrified – you were in Corrie for 32 years”.

It’s always nerve-wracking when the recording light comes on, whether you’ve been performing for decades or it’s your first time. You suddenly realize that whatever you’re about to do will be seen by everyone watching at home, and that’s a bit scary.

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2026-02-08 20:04