She revealed that the lump in her wife Ellie was “small but aggressive.”
The 50-year-old actress, known for her role as Eve Panesar-Unwin in the BBC soap, received her diagnosis in October and shared the news publicly last month.
As Heather gets ready to start her radiotherapy, she told the Mirror that Ellie has been quietly dealing with breast cancer as well.
She said, “Ellie’s breast cancer was a small but aggressive lump, so she had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy.
“Then I come along with my huge 12 cm lump, having a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and now about to begin radiotherapy.
“Ellie’s like, ‘Even you have to do a bigger treatment.’ And I’m like, ‘Hold my beer.’”
Heather noticed a change in her nipple but delayed seeing her GP due to her hectic work schedule before being diagnosed with cancer in October.
Upon hearing the diagnosis, she described feeling “like a dead woman walking.”
On November 29, the TV actress underwent a left breast mastectomy and reconstruction, having been comforted by Ellie that choosing an implant was the best choice for her.
“It’s truly been a #TeamEffort here at @bbceastenders.
I needed a wig fitting after a challenging journey over these past months.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of October.
Since then, I’ve had surgery and spent the Christmas period recovering, and today marks the end of my chemotherapy.
Waking up this morning felt like reaching the finish line of the London Marathon — turning onto The Mall and seeing the giant clock and the finish banner.
To sum it up — I’ve just received my medal.”
Heather shared with her followers that the experience has “forever changed” her and paid heartfelt thanks to Ellie and their three daughters — Annie, 10, and eight-year-olds Jessie and Lola — for helping her through.
She said she’s been “trying to treasure every moment with them.”
Heather continued: “There have been many positives.
A big thank you to the entire EastEnders team for going above and beyond, especially the incredible makeup team.
Also, thanks to Alex Rouss for the original wig and Linda for the perfect cut.
I’ve felt completely supported by everyone. Thanks to all my local friends who’ve been there for me and my family whenever needed — you know who you are.
And a huge thank you to the NHS. You are amazing, skilled people who treated me efficiently, with dignity and kindness. It means so much.”
Heather closed her post by acknowledging that “life feels very different now,” but added “it’s wonderful.”
She said, “I will continue to cherish and be grateful for all I have. I feel incredibly fortunate. Much love, Heather xxx”
Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter on the show, was quick to send her love.
She wrote, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… WARRIOR WOMAN!!! Love you to bits.”
Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell, wrote: “Love you so much, you beautiful, strong, fearless, brave woman… You’re absolutely ace!!!”
While soap fans recognize Heather as Walford’s Eve, she also pursues another career beyond the TV screen.
Heather is a singer who has released five albums.
She frequently performs across the country and shares clips from her gigs with her Instagram followers.
A talented musician, Heather plays both guitar and piano and performs live with a band.
Her first taste of musical success came in 2000 when her character on London’s Burning sang Bette Midler’s “The Rose,” which was released as a single and reached number 58 on the UK charts.
Since then, she has released five albums, the most recent being 2018’s Hey Mayhem.
The Bradford-born actress, who previously portrayed Nikki Boston in Waterloo Road, joined EastEnders as Eve in October 2021.
Since then, she has been a regular on the soap, playing Stacey Slater’s former cellmate and wife, and most recently marrying her second wife, Suki Panesar.
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