EastEnders star Samantha Womack has revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer.
Samantha said she is beginning her battle with the disease as she paid an emotional tribute to the late Dame Olivia Newton-John, who died yesterday (August 8) at the age of 73.
The Grease star had battled with breast cancer in the later years of her life.
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Alongside a picture of herself with the late actress, Samantha tweeted: “This was the most magical of evenings. Olivia and Chloe had come to see Grease in London and we had dinner together afterwards. I was so excited and in awe, she was my childhood.
“I now start my own battle with this disease and am left feeling deeply moved. #OliviaNewtonJohn.”
Her fans quickly rallied around her, as one replied: “Sending strength. Love you loads!!!!!!”
Another echoed: “Sorry to hear that Sam. Sending strength and love to you and the family.”
“You’ve got this! Chin up, each day at a time and you will smash it,” a third told her.
As a fourth said: “Mitchells are made of tough stuff. You’ve got this.”
The Ronnie Mitchell star’s announcement comes just a day after the death of Olivia Newton-John to breast cancer, with a statement posted to her social media accounts confirming: “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends.
“We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
It continued: “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
(Image: BBC/Gary Moyes)
Samantha, meanwhile, has always been candid about her health struggles, confirming she had anxiety back in 2018 as she admitted she had to survive on “little to no sleep”.
She said: “I was at my worst filming Mount Pleasant; I’d be awake all night, then have a 6am call and 20 pages of dialogue to learn.
“I just coped with no sleep. I’ve got a very strong work ethic so my adrenaline got me through.”
Adding: “I was continuously looking at people’s perfect lives and couldn’t help feeling anxious about my own and I’d question my parenting.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
