Upcoming episodes will see her character Diane tell friends that she’s been diagnosed with ovarian cancer before finding the strength to tell her husband Tony
Hollyoaks star Alex Fletcher says she has ‘mixed emotions’ about leaving the Channel 4 soap after 16 years, but is excited to do something ‘completely different’ in the future.
The actress – best known for her role as mum-of-four Diane Hutchinson – made the tough decision to quit the show last year. She’s now eyeing up roles on a comedy or period drama.
READ MORE: Hollyoaks character diagnosed with advanced stage cancer supported by loved onesREAD MORE: Soap legend ‘leaves after just six months’ on screen
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She told the BBC: “My agent’s working really hard behind scenes. It’d be nice for me to do something completely different. I’d love to do a comedy or I’d like to be a scullery maid in the kitchens in a period drama.”
Alex, who found fame as Jacqui Dixon in Brookside in 1990, said it was her choice to leave the show. She explained: “I just thought the character has done everything. Life is really not a rehearsal and I thought ‘if I don’t do it this year, when am I going to do it?’”
Upcoming episodes will see her character Diane tell friends Nancy Osborne (Jessica Fox) and Leela Lomax (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) that she’s been diagnosed with ovarian cancer before finding the strength to tell her husband Tony, played by Nick Pickard.
Whilst chemotherapy is an option, the doctors are not sure how affective it will be. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage, when survival is at its lowest.
At the earlier stages, symptoms can be subtle and often mistaken for other issues such as IBS or menopause, and symptoms of late-stage disease can still be nonspecific. Alex says it’s been difficult to film the storyline but hopes it’ll encourage viewers to “prioritise their health”.
She previously said: “This storyline has been a completely new challenge for me and something I’ve never explored before. Unfortunately, in some way or another many of us have been touched by cancer, I know my family certainly has this past year, so the storyline can be very relatable.
“At times it’s been difficult to film but I’m glad that Hollyoaks are telling this story and raising awareness about ovarian cancer, with the hope that it encourages people to prioritise their health.”
Hollyoaks have worked closely with the charity Ovarian Cancer Action who have advised on the storyline throughout the writing process. According to their studies, more than 75% of affected women are diagnosed at an advanced stage of ovarian cancer.
Cary Wakefield, Chief. Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action, said: “Ovarian cancer frequently goes unseen and undiagnosed until it’s too late, and often with life-changing consequences.
“We’re proud to partner with Hollyoaks to highlight the realities of this awful disease through a character so many viewers care deeply about. Our hope is that this powerful storyline prompts more women to recognise the symptoms and be empowered to seek help sooner.”
Alex’s uncle, John, is undergoing cancer treatment himself. She says “thankfully the treatment is working” and hopes the family “will be ringing the bell soon.”
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