Sarah Ferguson pours pint on visit to Coronation Street cobbles after bravely opening up about breast cancer treatment
SARAH Ferguson has poured a pint on a visit to the Coronation Street cobbles after bravely opening up about her breast cancer treatment.
The Duchess of York, 64, who underwent a mastectomy last year, embraced Corrie star Sally Dynevor, a fellow patron, as she arrived at the Prevent Breast Cancer headquarters in Manchester.
After visiting the Nightingale Centre, Sarah joined pal Sally at work, where she walked along the famous Corrie cobbles and poured a pint in the Rovers Return.
Speaking about her diagnosis, the Duchess said: “I had that fear of death. You think it’s a death sentence. It’s not.”
Asked how she was doing following her treatment, she said: “I’m doing very well, thank you. If I was talking Gen Z I’d say ‘slay’.”
Pal Sally said she was “giddy” after Sarah agreed to come and visit the charity base and she thought her character would have been even more excited.
She said: “I think Sally Metcalfe would be thrilled that she’s met the Duchess of York, I don’t think she’d be able to stop curtseying the whole day!”
The Duchess revealed she’s hoping for a cameo role on Corrie while trying out her best northern accent in the Rovers Return, asking pal Sally: “What will you have, lass?”
As she visited the ITV Studios in Media City, Salford Quays, Sarah quizzed soap bosses about making a surprise appearance.
She asked executive producer Iain MacLeod, the soap’s assistant producer Verity MacLeod, and Matt Cleary, director of production: “I’ve got to bamboozle you three to allow me to do a cameo.”
While behind the bar, Sarah, who made a cameo appearance on US sitcom Friends in 1998, paid tribute to the late Queen, who marked the soap’s 60th anniversary with a visit to the set in 2021.
The duchess said: “We ought to drink a pint to my wonderful mother-in-law. She really loved her time here.”
After chatting to Dynevor, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife rang the bell for last orders in the pub, where scenes which will air over Christmas are being filmed.
She also walked down the famous street, where she met Sam Aston, who was filming scenes as character Chesney Winter-Brown.
The duchess said: “Coming on the cobbles is quite a huge moment.”
Before leaving, Mr MacLeod promised to “get thinking” about a cameo part for her and told her: “The pint was excellent by the way, considering it was the first one.”
When in the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, she urged women to attend their screenings and spoke candidly about how her older sister saved her life when she insisted she attend her mammogram appointment.
The Duchess was introduced to Prevent Breast Cancer by the Cobbles’ Sally, who is also a breast cancer survivor, when they co-hosted ITV’s Loose Women.
Sarah recalled the moment the actress informed her about the charity’s amazing work, telling The Sun: “It was a no-brainer. I immediately said to Sally ‘I’ll see you in Manchester’.”
The pair – also joined by fellow patron and Corrie star Sue Cleaver – went on a tour of the centre on Wednesday morning.
“I never thought I’d be diagnosed with breast cancer at 46 – I was fit and healthy.
Sally Metcalfe
Sarah served up a cappuccino at the Nightingale’s cafe after greeting patients in the busy waiting room.
Her visit coincides with the charity launching a public appeal to raise £600,000 for a National Breast Imaging Academy, which will train 50 new imaging specialists a year.
Speaking to The Sun today Sarah said: “My message to anyone who has just received a devastating diagnosis is go and speak to your nurse. Just go and ask for help.
“People can sometimes sound very frightening – the oncologists, the doctors, the radiographers – it’s their job.
“But sometimes you just need a little translation and it’s suddenly not so frightening.”
Urging women to attend their screenings, the Duchess added: “I think prevention is the future.
“Find solutions – don’t just put the band aid on, be ahead of the band aid.
“I nearly missed my mammogram appointment because it was a hot day and I didn’t want to go into central London.
“I was like ‘oh, I’m sure I’m fine’.
“My sister, being a big sister, told me to get on with it and I thank her for saving my life.”
Speaking to patient Ellen Aldred, 44, of Saddleworth, Gtr Manchester, about the decision to have a mastectomy, the Duchess said: “I’m sitting here with a mastectomy and I know exactly the feeling, so for once, I can say I do understand exactly how you feel.”
She also praised Macmillan clinic lead Karen Livingstone, who was delivering physiotherapy, telling her: “You’re a very nice person, very kind, very comforting.”
Corrie star Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw on the ITV soap, hailed the Duchess an “inspiration”.
Revealing she went out for dinner with Sarah and Sally on Tuesday evening, Sue added: “Sarah is wonderful for this charity. She’s been through real trauma herself.
“She’s really approachable and down to earth – it’s a gift she’s joined as a patron and she’s an inspiration.”
Sally, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, at the same time as her character Sally Metcalfe was battling the illness on screen, said: “I instantly knew Sarah was going to get involved – she’s very kind and warm.
“It’s amazing for this charity to have her on board.
“I never thought I’d be diagnosed with breast cancer at 46 – I was fit and healthy.
“I’m sure Sarah never thought it would happen to her.
“It’s amazing she’s sharing her story so other women can say ‘I’m going through that’.”
Coming on the cobbles is quite a huge moment.
Sarah Ferguson
Lester Barr, MBE, who was co-founder of the world’s first purpose-built Breast Cancer Prevention Centre, said: “Sarah’s diagnosis illustrates just how common it is. Nobody is immune, no matter who they are.”
Months after undergoing a mastectomy last year, the Duchess was diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer and was later given the all-clear after treatment.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper about her treatment, she said: “I’m now determined to do whatever I can to raise awareness by sharing my experience.”
The King and the Princess of Wales have also been undergoing cancer treatment this year.
Construction of the imaging academy at Wythenshawe Hospital, is due to start next month.
Fundraising by Prevent Breast Cancer and Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Charity has secured more than 80 percent of the costs but the organisations are calling for public support to help raise the final £600,000.
As well as training new specialists, the Academy will increase screening capacity in Manchester by 13,000 appointments annually.
Sarah, who had been largely “symptom free” before her diagnosis, added: “I’m delighted to be joining Prevent Breast Cancer as a patron, and even more so to be helping raise awareness of this incredible Academy which deserves all of our support.
“I urge people to help us reach our fundraising target – every penny counts and you will be helping to save the lives of countless women in the future.”
She said her “outlook is good” following breast and skin cancer treatments but she will need checks for the rest of her life.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS