Coronation Street star Katie McGlynn has opened up about her grandfather’s experience with prostate cancer, explaining that his death left a “massive hole” in their family.
He passed away two years after his diagnosis, leaving the actress, 28, broken hearted.
Wanting to use her experience to make a difference, Katie teamed up with Prostate Cancer UK to raise awareness of the disease.
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She discussed the effects of the illness and told The Express: “It wasn’t nice, and I think everyone who has been affected by cancer knows that the person deteriorates.
“It left a massive hole in our family because he was the glue that held us together.”
Katie spoke about the impact her grandfather had on her life, saying they were “really close” and that he helped her to get into acting.
She continued: “When my dad was working, he would take me to drama class and if it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I would be where I am right now because he was always the one who pushed me to do acting.”
She ended up getting a role in her grandad’s favourite soap, Coronation Street, as Sinead Tinker, something Katie describes as “bittersweet.”
Katie said: “I remember we used to watch Coronation Street and I had just landed my first job on Waterloo Road.
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“My grandad said, ‘When are you going to get on Coronation Street, Katie?’
“He passed away just before his 80th birthday in the February, and then a week or two later I got my first audition for Coronation Street.
“It is a nice thought to think that maybe he might have had something to do with it. It was a bittersweet moment because I wanted him to know about it, and sadly he didn’t.”
Katie is hoping Prostate Cancer UK can raise enough money to fund a screening programme for the disease.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
