In a heartbreaking revelation, Beverley Callard has opened up about the emotional moment she had to leave I’m A Celebrity… South Africa after a sudden health scare, only to later discover she had breast cancer. The Coronation Street legend, 69, has shared how she was initially unaware of the grave diagnosis while on the show, and how a “funny turn” forced her to exit the competition.
While watching her exit unfold on television, Beverley was moved to tears as she recalled the shocking events leading up to her departure. At the time, she had no idea that the fainting spell she experienced was linked to her cancer battle. Beverley explained that she had felt unwell for a few days before fainting in the Bush Telegraph, and medical staff immediately took her to the medical hut, where they advised her she could not continue on the show. “I just knew I wasn’t feeling myself. But I didn’t know it was cancer,” she said emotionally. “They were amazing, but it was the start of everything.” 
After a dramatic exit, Beverley expressed her frustration at having to leave early. “I wanted to prove that older women could do it,” she said. “I didn’t want it to finish like this.”
Her exit left her campmates devastated, with Adam Thomas in tears and Scarlett Moffatt remarking, “The camp won’t be the same without her.” However, Beverley later reflected that her time on the show, despite the challenges, had been one of the best experiences of her life. 
“I had the experience of a lifetime,” Beverley said, “the people were amazing. Yes, we were hungry and dirty, but it was wonderful.”
Though Beverley’s stint on I’m A Celebrity ended unexpectedly, her battle was only just beginning. Four months after filming, she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and underwent surgery to remove affected lymph nodes. In an emotional Instagram post, Beverley shared that the surgery went well, though the cancer had spread to one of her lymph nodes.
The 69-year-old actress explained that the cancer was “only small” but had spread to the first lymph node. She is awaiting further tests to determine whether the disease is aggressive. “If it’s aggressive, I will have to undergo chemo first and then radiotherapy,” Beverley shared. “If it’s not aggressive, I’ll just have the radiotherapy as planned. I just have to wait and see.”
Despite the uncertainty, Beverley remains optimistic and determined to fight. “I will beat this. I will beat it,” she declared, offering hope to others facing similar battles.
