‘I’ve got a stoma just like Coronation Street star – losing bum gave me life back’

Soaps are often a great way to platform real life issues to huge audiences during prime time TV.

Although dramatised by fictional characters, the storylines are often experienced by those sitting at home in front of the screen and, at the same time, help to educate others.

So when Hollyoaks and Coronation Street decided to run plots with characters that would become ostomates – people who have undergone stoma surgery – this “thrilled” influencer and journalist Holly Fleet.

READ MORE: Hollyoaks fans ‘in tears’ as Mercedes McQueen lays herself bare in heartbreaking scene

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The 30-year-old, known as @stomababe, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis – a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – which ultimately caused her rectum and colon to become inflamed and led to the perforation of her bowel.

Holly was left in excruciating pain and was on the “brink of death” until she was rushed for life-saving surgery in November 2021 where she had a stoma fitted.

Then eight months on, she had proctectomy – where her entire rectum was removed and her ‘bum hole’ was sewn shut.

Fast-forward to today, Holly is a mum to little Scarlett and is now living a full and happy life with a stoma, which is an opening on the abdomen that connects to the digestive system to allow poo to be collected in a stoma bag.

And now Holly has exclusively spoken to us about stoma representation on TV as millions of viewers have been left in tears at the emotional scenes of ostomates Mercedes and Bethany.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to see stoma representation on national primetime TV,” Holly told us in an exclusive chat.

She continued: “It’s about time stoma bags are being showcased on the small screen after years of zero representation of ostomates on TV, apart from occasional news features.

“The portrayal of this life-changing surgery in the soaps is a significant step forward for those living with stoma bags and will hopefully raise awareness in the public’s consciousness.”

For the last couple of years, Holly has been active on social media tirelessly raising awareness and advocating for those with a stoma. She’s managed to rack up more than 100,000 TikTok followers and a further 20,000 on Instagram, attracting broadcasters to her story.

She’s even featured on a short Channel 4 documentary regarding her experiences of having a ‘hidden’ disability – including the lack of understanding about stomas from the general public and even venues.

Although Hollyoaks’ Mercedes and Coronation Street’s Bethany have stoma bags for different reasons to Holly, she hopes that it can resonate with those in a similar situation, all while making audiences aware of the little-discussed pouches.

Holly continued: “These storylines can have a positive impact on the stoma community. It’s too early to judge, given that these storylines are in their infancy.

“Both are dealing with sensitive topics, particularly Hollyoaks, where the character Mercedes has been given a terminal cancer diagnosis.

“This is likely to evoke strong emotions for viewers, especially those going through a similar journey. I want the general public to understand that anyone can have a stoma formed at any time, regardless of age, gender, or medical history.

“Life doesn’t end because you have a stoma bag. Many ostomates live fulfilling lives, with families, jobs, and even participation in activities like running marathons, as seen with Adele Roberts over the weekend.”

Holly notes that these storylines are just in the beginning of their run and so cannot fully judge them on their accuracy and impact as of yet.

But, she does believe this is a step in the right direction. Stoma representation has increased over the last year – including from Lego and M&S – and Holly doesn’t want it to stop there.

While she continues to post on her social media, attracting millions of views, Holly would love to see stoma representation take centre stage in the world of film.

She is adamant to show that a stoma bag isn’t a “last resort”, but more so a new lease of life for those who were gravely ill before one.

Holly concluded: “This is a step in the right direction, and next, I would love to see a romantic comedy or a young adult drama featuring a lead role with a stoma bag as they navigate dating.

“We need to showcase the lifestyle side of having a stoma, the adaptations, and the compromises that need to be made.

“It’s important for the general public to understand how a stoma bag can improve the quality of someone’s life, instead of being considered a last resort.

You can f”ind Holly on Instagram here and TikTok here

For more information about ulcerative colitis and stomas, you can access the website for charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK, here

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk