By Georgia Bell
EastEnders star Heather Peace has shared that both she and her wife Ellie Dickinson are battling breast cancer in a tragic statement.
The 50 year-old actor, known for her role as Eve Sopal-Unwin in the soap, announced last month she underwent surgery and began chemotherapy after her diagnosis last October.
Ahead of beginning radiotherapy, Heather revealed that her wife Ellie was given the same tragic diagnosis earlier this year.
Speaking to the Mirror, she said: 鈥淗er breast cancer was a smaller, aggressive lump, so she had a lumpectomy and then radiotherapy.
鈥淥f course, then I come along with my 12 cm lump, absolutely ginormous, and mastectomy, chemotherapy, just about to go into radiotherapy.
鈥淪he’s like 鈥楨ven that you have to do bigger.鈥 It’s like 鈥楬old my beer.鈥欌
The couple, who have two children together – Annie, 10, and eight-year-old twins, Jesse and Lola – said the news was overwhelming and there was 鈥渘o processing.鈥
Heather said that due to her busy EastEnders鈥 schedule, she was initially hesitant to see a doctor after noticing a change in her nipple.
Wife Ellie pushed her to get checked immediately, leading to the actress鈥檚 diagnosis a short three hours after her appointment.
In May, she took to Instagram to announce she completed chemotherapy and feels 鈥渧ery lucky鈥 after months of treatment.
Alongside a video, she wrote, 鈥淭his video is an important part of my recent journey, which I wanted to share with you.
鈥淚’ve been on quite a road for many months now. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of October.
鈥淪ince then, I鈥檝e undergone surgery and recovery over the Christmas period, and today my chemotherapy journey ended. To conclude 鈥 I鈥檝e just picked up my medal.鈥
The video shows the actress, who kept working on EastEnders throughout parts of her treatment, having a wig fitted on set. In the video, she thanked the production team and the support she received during the process.
鈥淭here have been so many positives,’ she said. 鈥淭hank you to the whole EE team for going above and beyond. Particularly our amazing makeup team.
鈥淎nd to Alex Rouss for the original wig and (stylist) Linda for the spot on cut. I鈥檝e felt totally supported by you all.’
Heather also shared her appreciation for her family, praising her wife Ellie and their three daughters for their love and encouragement.
She said: 鈥淭here have been so many positives鈥 Just trying to appreciate every moment of them.鈥
Heather thanked the medical staff who cared for her.
鈥淭hank you to the NHS. You are wonderful, skilled people. You treated me efficiently. You gave me dignity and showed me kindness. It鈥檚 so appreciated,鈥 she said.
Heather concluded her post by reflecting on how her health fight had changed her, adding: 鈥淟ife feels very different now, but it鈥檚 wonderful.
鈥淚 will continue to cherish and be grateful for all I am blessed with. I feel very lucky.鈥