Movies

Samantha Womack’s boyfriend Oliver Farnworth reveals he’s close friends with her ex-husband Mark as he reflects on landing Emmerdale role

BBG News

As a compassionate observer, I am deeply moved by Samantha Womack’s courage and resilience in her ongoing battle against breast cancer. Her journey is a poignant reminder of the strength that lies within each one of us when faced with adversity.

In an open conversation, Oliver Farnworth, Samantha Womack’s partner, disclosed that her former spouse, Mark Womack, is one of his closest friends.

51-year-old former EastEnders star and 41-year-old ex-Coronation Street actor started dating in the year 2019, which followed a breakup between Samantha and her longtime partner Mark, who is 63 years old. They had been together for 19 years and share two adult children.

Despite having a relationship dynamic reminiscent of daytime soap operas, this trio’s interaction surprisingly flows smoothly. Intriguingly, Oliver shares that he accepted his latest role in Emmerdale upon the guidance of his former co-star and close friend, Mark.

On Monday, the actor will first appear on Emmerdale, playing the enigmatic character John Sugden. Previously, Mark (who portrayed the shady police officer Mark Malone on ITV soap in 2020) has expressed admiration for the show and extended words of support to him.

In an interview with The Mirror, he shared, “Mark is a close acquaintance of mine. We had a conversation just yesterday. When I received the offer for the role in Emmerdale, Mark expressed his enthusiasm, saying it was an excellent opportunity. He spoke highly of the place.”

Discussing Mark’s thoughtful suggestion, he went on: ‘I recall [Mark] mentioning during filming that the location was simply stunning – truly exceptional. So when this opportunity arose, I was thrilled. And indeed, it is wonderful. He teased me by saying, “I told you so,” and I responded, “You were right.”‘

Oliver, the actor who portrayed Corrie’s Andy Carver from 2014-2017, and Samantha, well-known for playing EastEnders’ Ronnie Mitchell, are currently residing together in Spain. Frequently, they welcome visits from her and Mark’s two children, Lily (age 19) and Benjamin (age 23).

Furthermore, Oliver mentioned that he shares an equally strong bond with them, similar to their father Mark. He also highlighted that they enjoy preparing meals together, much like a family, in their charming paella kitchen located within their beautiful home in Valencia.

Simultaneously, the soap actor disclosed that his relationship with Sam has grown even stronger. He explained that her fight against breast cancer in August 2022 served as a powerful bonding experience for them.

In my perspective, I’d say this transformation subtly alters your viewpoint, encouraging you to cherish what you already possess a little more deeply. It might even inspire you to live life more fully and mindfully.

In December 2022, the ex-soap opera actress shared that she had overcome breast cancer, a battle she fought for five months following her initial diagnosis in July 2022.

During that period, I was undergoing radiation therapy, aiming to eradicate any residual cells, and I was also receiving continuous treatment as a preventive measure.

At that point, she shared with OK! magazine that she was undergoing some preventative treatments while returning to work. She also mentioned they were feeling significantly improved compared to how they felt earlier.

1. “I’m still undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and I found recovery from the surgery particularly challenging due to discomfort in the affected area after the removal of lymph nodes. Initially, there were some mobility concerns as well.”

She recalled: ‘The first round of chemotherapy was pretty hardcore really, it was quite toxic,’ before adding: ‘I’ve got radiotherapy for a bit of time to try and nuke any leftover cells.’

In November 2022, Samantha disclosed that her breast cancer was discovered through an unexpected examination, and she described the illness as something that had “assaulted” her “womanhood.”

In an interview on This Morning, Samantha shared that when she was diagnosed four months ago, she hadn’t detected a lump herself; instead, her cancer was identified during a routine examination or check-up.

‘It was really incredible because I didn’t find a lump, I didn’t feel unwell,’ she explained.

Over the past while, many of our loved ones have been dealing with illnesses. To put my mind at ease, I decided to get a random health check-up. During the ultrasound, a small shadow appeared, which could’ve indicated anything from a cyst. Further investigations followed, and eventually, I received that diagnosis.

Samantha considered herself quite fortunate, as the lump measured under 2 centimeters, allowing her to undergo a lumpectomy for the removal of the affected tissue and five nearby lymph nodes.

She went on to describe breast cancer as a disease which ‘attacks’ your ‘body’ and your ‘femininity’ as she urged other women to get checked.

As an ardent advocate, I can’t help but express my deep concern. Breast cancer, in its relentless pursuit, seems to target not just our bodies, but also the essence of womanhood we cherish. It strips us of our hair, our beloved breasts – symbols of femininity and beauty that span all ages.

It’s crucial for numerous women to perform self-examinations starting from their thirties. Spreading this vital information and encouraging regular checks is highly recommended.

Apart from that, she likewise depicted her experience with cancer as ‘frightening’, yet commended the current medical advancements for effectively tackling this condition.

Previously, Samantha declared that she had begun her struggle against the illness, while expressing appreciation for Olivia Newton-John, who passed away at the age of 73 following a prolonged battle with cancer.

She disclosed the reason for sharing her news in that manner by stating: “I’ve always been hesitant about what to post on social media, as I often question whether I’m doing it to seek approval or if there’s a genuine purpose behind it.”

Initially, I found myself pondering whether it was appropriate, while my daughter Lily was in the kitchen preparing meals with Ollie, engrossed in her phone reading about Olivia Newton John.

In the heart of the kitchen, I stumbled upon an intriguing article, having spent the evening post-show sharing a meal with the delightful Olivia. You see, I had taken on the role of Sandy in Grease that very night.

At the onset of her diagnosis, I found myself reflecting on her long 30-year battle, which was nearing its end, while mine was only starting. This realization brought a sense of nostalgia over me – I was deeply touched by her story…

Reflecting on it, I found myself desiring to spread the word, engage with others, and make it public. The response I received was incredible – a flood of affection returned. This experience left me feeling invigorated and powerful.

Read More

2024-08-03 11:51

Previous post MONOPOLY GO! Midnight Drive Event: All you need to know
Next post BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2024: Vitality vs Astralis: Live score and details