Latest news with #AliBastian
Metro
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian reveals her body is ‘under construction' after cancer
Former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian has discussed her cancer recovery. The 43-year old actress played Becca Dean on the Channel 4 soap for 6 years between 2001 and 2007. After leaving the show, she had a regular role in ITV police drama The Bill, and starred as Becky Clarke in since-axed BBC daytime medical series Doctors. In September, she revealed her diagnosis with stage two breast cancer, confirming that she discovered a lump whilst breastfeeding her daughter Isabella. At first, doctors believed the lump to be a blocked duct, though following a round of antibiotics and further tests done at a specialist clinic, cancerous cells were found. In December, she rang the bell after five months of treatment and, three months later, she revealed that she is cancer free. 'I wanted to update you all,' the star wrote on Instagram at the time. 'I'm on to my final week of radio therapy which should mark the end my active treatment – I hope and pray for good! 'I had my mastectomy in January which was thankfully a success and has healed really well, it proved that my chemo had worked. 'As I sit here right now, I'm free from Cancer. I can't even believe it.' She has now said that her body is 'under construction' and that she's considering reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy. 'I couldn't have a reconstruction at the time because we always knew I'd have to have radiotherapy. At some point there'll be some kind of something,' she told Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast 'Initially I was like 100% it's happening. But now, I want to have the conversations and talk through what the options are, but I'm not actually married to any of them at the moment.' She continued: 'I've got a really good prosthetic that makes a big difference. It means in clothes I feel normal. It's bright pink. It makes me happy. 'It's just very different to the lump of silicone that you get handed in the hospital, which is a hell of a moment. 'This is a lot lighter and easy to wear. I quite like that it doesn't look like a chicken fillet, like a pretend boob. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! 'It's something that I could show the kids as well because it's so visually appealing. 'It was one of those little bridging things. I just keep saying to myself really 'I'm still under construction, I've been through a lot, I'm healing at the moment'.' More Trending Ali shares two daughters, five-year old Isla and two-year old Isabella, with husband David O'Mahony. She continued to tell Giovanna that she now plans to focus on other health issues, such as a hernia that she developed during childbirth. 'I've got a big old hernia from my babies as well,' she said. 'Because of all of this I haven't been able to have that done, and actually I'm more keen to get that done than anything else because that is harder to hide. View More » 'It's like a tennis ball. I've had it for five years, and it needs to go now.' If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Jessie J experiences her 'worst day so far' since cancer diagnosis MORE: Popular TV star 'forever grateful' as major series opts to bring her back MORE: 17 years after I gave blood an unexpected email changed my life
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ali Bastian shares candid health update following breast cancer journey
Ali Bastian, who has been in soaps Hollyoaks and Doctors, had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy following her stage II breast cancer diagnosis last year Former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian said her body is "under construction" as she opened up about her cancer journey. After Ali was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer last year, the 42-year-old actress underwent gruelling chemotherapy and had a mastectomy. However, she delighted fans in March this year by revealing she had overcome the disease, statistically the most common cancer in the UK. Speaking in a podcast this week, Ali said: "I couldn't have a reconstruction at the time because we always knew I'd have to have radiotherapy. At some point there'll be some kind of something. "Initially I was like 100 per cent it's happening. But now, I want to have the conversations and talk through what the options are, but I'm not actually married to any of them at the moment." The actress, who portrayed Becca Dean in Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007, gave the update on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, presented by Giovanna Fletcher. Giovanna, 40, asked Ali how she handled her recovery so far, to which Ali said: "In some ways better than I would have imagined actually, even the sort of gearing up for a mastectomy. I've got a really good prosthetic that makes a big difference. It means in clothes I feel normal. It's bright pink. It makes me happy. "It's just very different to the lump of silicone that you get handed in the hospital, which is a hell of a moment. This is a lot lighter and easy to wear. I quite like that it doesn't look like a chicken fillet, like a pretend boob. It's something that I could show the kids as well because it's so visually appealing." Ali had a regular role in BBC soap Doctors in 2019 but left to have her first of two children, both of whom are girls. Since starting a family, she hasn't had a majpr acting credit but she told Giovanna she is looking to the future. The star, from Windsor, Berkshire, added: "I just keep saying to myself really 'I'm still under construction, I've been through a lot, I'm healing at the moment.'" The soap star, who came third in the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing, lost her mum in 2023, one year before the cancer journey started. Earlier this year, Ali, who has also been in The Bill, told fans her mum had a short illness. "Grief, I attempted to put on hold whilst I managed a grueling treatment regime now comes in waves, sometimes crashing, sometimes tidal, rarely gentle… but I try to go gently with myself as I navigate life after cancer and life without you," Ali penned on social media in April.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ali Bastian, 42, admits her body is 'under construction' as former Hollyoaks star shares fresh health update following breast cancer battle
Former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian has reveals her body is 'under construction' as she opened up about her recovery after battling cancer. The actress, 42, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer last year and underwent gruelling chemotherapy and had a mastectomy. In March of this year, however, Ali delighted fans by revealing she was officially cancer-free in a health update. She discovered she had cancer after finding a lump, which she thought was a blocked milk duct while she was feeding her daughter. Now, the actress has opened up on her recovery, admitting her body is 'under construction' as she weighs up undergoing reconstruction surgery. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The actress has opened up on her recovery, admitting her body is 'under construction' as she weighs up undergoing reconstruction surgery Speaking to Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Ali said: 'I couldn't have a reconstruction at the time because we always knew I'd have to have radiotherapy. At some point there'll be some kind of something. 'Initially I was like 100 per cent it's happening. But now, I want to have the conversations and talk through what the options are, but I'm not actually married to any of them at the moment.' Ali is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007 and also competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009. Giovanna, 40, asked Ali how she handled her recovery so far, which she answered: 'In some ways better than I would have imagined actually, even the sort of gearing up for a mastectomy. 'I've got a really good prosthetic that makes a big difference. It means in clothes I feel normal. It's bright pink. It makes me happy. 'It's just very different to the lump of silicone that you get handed in the hospital, which is a hell of a moment. 'This is a lot lighter and easy to wear. I quite like that it doesn't look like a chicken fillet, like a pretend boob. 'It's something that I could show the kids as well because it's so visually appealing. 'It was one of those little bridging things. I just keep saying to myself really "I'm still under construction, I've been through a lot, I'm healing at the moment".' As Ali continues her recovery, she revealed she can now focus on addressing other health issues, such as a large hernia from the birth of her children. The proud mum has two daughters - Isla, five, and two-year-old Isabella with her husband David O'Mahony. 'I've got a big old hernia from my babies as well,' she said. 'Because of all of this I haven't been able to have that done, and actually I'm more keen to get that done than anything else because that is harder to hide. 'It's like a tennis ball. I've had it for five years, and it needs to go now.' Meanwhile, in April Ali announced the tragic death of her mother to the world, following her passing in 2023 before she was diagnosed with cancer. In an emotional tribute on social media, she said she was only grieving privately now. She penned: 'I wrote this on Mother's Day but didn't end up posting, but here goes…. TW grief. We lost our beautiful Mum in the autumn of '23, only a few months before my diagnosis. 'A sudden death after a short terrible illness. Impossible to make sense of. 'Grief, I attempted to put on hold whilst I managed a grueling treatment regime now comes in waves, sometimes crashing, sometimes tidal, rarely gentle… but I try to go gently with myself as I navigate life after cancer and life without you. 'I love you Mum, always and forever. Days like today are so complicated… letting in all the love from my little people and loving them back with all my might whilst the child within me longs for your arms wrapped tight around me. 'I hope you are watching over us Mum and I hope we are making you proud xxxxx'.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
My body's ‘under construction' after cancer op but prosthetic boobs have made me feel normal says Hollyoaks' Ali Bastian
IT would be understandable to lose faith after a horror 12 months that saw her both diagnosed with cancer and forced to come to terms with the tragic loss of her 'beautiful' mum. But former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian says she is "better than I would have imagined" after being declared cancer-free, even if her tumultuous recovery has left her still feeling "under construction". 12 Ali Bastian has inspired fans with her candid posts about her treatment for breast cancer Credit: Instagram / alibastianinsta 12 The 43-year-old stepped out at the Baftas last month Credit: Splash 12 She revealed how she has reunited after 20 years with her former stepmum, Sally, who has supported her through her health battle Credit: Supplied The 43-year-old was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in June 2024, and underwent a mastectomy in January before getting the all clear two months later. Now, the Strictly star - who has inspired fans with her candid and powerful updates about her treatment journey - has opened up about the next steps in her recovery and revealed she is still weighing up reconstruction surgery. In a new interview with Giovanna Fletcher on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, she explains how she is now turning her attention to removing a tumour the size of a "tennis ball" that developed after the birth of her daughter, Isla, five years ago. And she reveals how she has found an unlikely pillar of support in the form of her former stepmother, who she had not seen in over 20 years. Asked how she had handled the recovery, she said: "In some ways better than I would have imagined actually, even the sort of gearing up for a mastectomy. "I've got a really good prosthetic that makes a big difference. It means in clothes I feel normal. It's bright pink. It makes me happy. "It's just very different to the lump of silicone that you get handed in the hospital, which is a hell of a moment. "This is a lot lighter and easy to wear. I quite like that it doesn't look like a chicken fillet, like a pretend boob. "It's something that I could show the kids as well because it's so visually appealing. "It was one of those little bridging things. I just keep saying to myself really 'I'm still under construction, I've been through a lot, I'm healing at the moment'." Following her shock breast cancer diagnosis, actress and Strictly star Ali Bastian on losing her hair and the changed relationship with her boobs 12 Ali Bastian as Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks Credit: Mersey Television 12 She is also known for appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 Credit: PA:Press Association,BBBC 12 The former Hollyoaks star, pictured before her diagnosis, was declared cancer-free in March Credit: Getty 12 In one emotional video, Ali shaved her head while undergoing chemotherapy treatment Credit: Instagram / @alibastianinsta Ali, who has two daughters Isla, five, and Isabella, two, with husband David O'Mahony, is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, as well as appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009. She was diagnosed with cancer after discovering a lump she initially thought was a blocked milk duct while breastfeeding her youngest daughter. But after undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, Ali says her successful recovery has now allowed her to focus on other health problems she was forced to put off. She said: "I've got a big old hernia from my babies as well. "Because of all of this I haven't been able to have that done, and actually I'm more keen to get that done than anything else because that is harder to hide. "It's like a tennis ball. I've had it for five years, and it needs to go now." And speaking on the prospect of further surgery to reconstruct her breasts following the mastectomy, she said she will "explore" her options. She said: "I couldn't have a reconstruction at the time because we always knew I'd have to have radiotherapy. At some point there'll be some kind of something. "Initially I was like 100 per cent it's happening. But now, I want to have the conversations and talk through what the options are, but I'm not actually married to any of them at the moment." Surprise reunion 12 Ali is now hoping to remove a tennis ball-sized tumour that developed after giving birth Credit: Instagram / @alibastianinsta 12 Ali said that her stepmum's sister, who was an oncology nurse, has also provided support Credit: Instagram / @alibastianinsta 12 Ali with husband husband David O'Mahony Credit: Instagram Most incredibly of all, Ali's health battle has also led to her reconnecting with her former stepmum, Sally, who she hadn't seen in 20 years. The pair reunited after Ali's mum tragically passed in autumn 2023, just months before her cancer diagnosis. In an emotional post last April, she told fans: "I wrote this on Mother's Day but didn't end up posting, but here goes…. TW grief. We lost our beautiful Mum in the autumn of '23, only a few months before my diagnosis. "A sudden death after a short terrible illness. Impossible to make sense of. "Grief, I attempted to put on hold whilst I managed a grueling treatment regime now comes in waves, sometimes crashing, sometimes tidal, rarely gentle… but I try to go gently with myself as I navigate life after cancer and life without you." The actress had moved with her husband and children from London to west Cork to slow down shortly before the tragic death. It followed her suffering a suspected infection following the birth of her second child. But her stepmum in London, who she had not seen for 20 years, got in touch and offered to come to Ireland to help Ali and her family - support she said was "incredibly healing". 12 Speaking about the response to her revealing her diagnosis, she said: "The love and support and kindness was incredible. I never know what to respond to those moments. "'It means more than you know' is what I find myself always saying, but I really, really mean that. "I had this amazing thing happen for me in that my stepmum, who I hadn't seen for 20 years, who'd parted company with my dad when I was about 20, when I lost my mum, she reached out to me. "She was like 'Hi, I'm here for you if you need me'. She knew I had a nine-month-old baby. So she just kept an eye on me." Ali added: "When I got my diagnosis she was like 'I'm coming to Cork'. "She spent a week with me and my family. Her sister was an oncology nurse so she had a sense of the treatment plan I was on, and what the months might look like. "She said 'Can I come back and I'll nurse you through this bit?' So she was with me for five weeks through the real tough chemo part. The way my treatment went towards the end, it's quite cumulative. "So she came and helped with the kids and helped me, and talked to me, and looked after me basically, and then came back again when I had my mastectomy and just held me. "Literally sleeves up. It's a really different energy when somebody's like 'I see you in that hole, I want to climb down with you and help you, and please let me do that'. "That's been incredibly healing, like amazing, amazing." 'Crazy little bubble' 12 Ali featured in the iconic Hollyoaks swimwear calendar Credit: Handout Speaking after coming back to London and staying with her stepmum, Ali said: "When I come back to London now I stay with her and I have a home here to go to, because I hadn't taken that on board with moving out to Ireland - that there's nowhere to come back to. "I have a place to go, a soft place to go, and that just means so much. "The type of woman that she is, after she and my father parted ways she went on to become a social worker and become really experienced in that. "She's done incredible work in that field for years and years. "So of all the people that I know that would be able to hold that space for me, my children, my husband, all of those dynamics, and you know the way a family undulates at the best of times, when there's something going on there's constant shifts in everyone's ups and downs. "We were kind of in this crazy little bubble going through this nightmare all together - she just had a way of being able to be there for us, and that not be complicated. "She even gave me a mug of tea last night and I looked in the rim and it said 'I told you to sit down'."
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
My body's ‘under construction' after cancer op but prosthetic boobs have made me feel normal says Hollyoaks' Ali Bastian
IT would be understandable to lose faith after a horror 12 months that saw her both diagnosed with cancer and forced to come to terms with the tragic loss of her 'beautiful' mum. But former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian says she is "better than I would have imagined" after being declared cancer-free, even if her tumultuous recovery has left her still feeling "under construction". 11 11 The 43-year-old was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in June 2024, and underwent a mastectomy in January before getting the all clear two months later. Now, the Strictly star - who has inspired fans with her candid and powerful updates about her treatment journey - has opened up about the next steps in her recovery and revealed she is still weighing up reconstruction surgery. In a new interview with Giovanna Fletcher on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, she explains how she is now turning her attention to removing a tumour the size of a "tennis ball" that developed after the birth of her daughter, Isla, five years ago. And she reveals how she has found an unlikely pillar of support in the form of her former stepmother, who she had not seen in over 20 years. Asked how she had handled the recovery, she said: "In some ways better than I would have imagined actually, even the sort of gearing up for a mastectomy. "I've got a really good prosthetic that makes a big difference. It means in clothes I feel normal. It's bright pink. It makes me happy. "It's just very different to the lump of silicone that you get handed in the hospital, which is a hell of a moment. "This is a lot lighter and easy to wear. I quite like that it doesn't look like a chicken fillet, like a pretend boob. "It's something that I could show the kids as well because it's so visually appealing. "It was one of those little bridging things. I just keep saying to myself really 'I'm still under construction, I've been through a lot, I'm healing at the moment'." Following her shock breast cancer diagnosis, actress and Strictly star Ali Bastian on losing her hair and the changed relationship with her boobs 11 11 11 11 Ali, who has two daughters Isla, five, and Isabella, two, with husband David O'Mahony, is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, as well as appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009. She was diagnosed with cancer after discovering a lump she initially thought was a blocked milk duct while breastfeeding her youngest daughter. But after undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, Ali says her successful recovery has now allowed her to focus on other health problems she was forced to put off. She said: "I've got a big old hernia from my babies as well. "Because of all of this I haven't been able to have that done, and actually I'm more keen to get that done than anything else because that is harder to hide. "It's like a tennis ball. I've had it for five years, and it needs to go now." And speaking on the prospect of further surgery to reconstruct her breasts following the mastectomy, she said she will "explore" her options. She said: "I couldn't have a reconstruction at the time because we always knew I'd have to have radiotherapy. At some point there'll be some kind of something. "Initially I was like 100 per cent it's happening. But now, I want to have the conversations and talk through what the options are, but I'm not actually married to any of them at the moment." Surprise reunion 11 Most incredibly of all, Ali's health battle has also led to her reconnecting with her former stepmum, Sally, who she hadn't seen in 20 years. The pair reunited after Ali's mum tragically passed in autumn 2023, just months before her cancer diagnosis. In an emotional post last April, she told fans: "I wrote this on Mother's Day but didn't end up posting, but here goes…. TW grief. We lost our beautiful Mum in the autumn of '23, only a few months before my diagnosis. "A sudden death after a short terrible illness. Impossible to make sense of. "Grief, I attempted to put on hold whilst I managed a grueling treatment regime now comes in waves, sometimes crashing, sometimes tidal, rarely gentle… but I try to go gently with myself as I navigate life after cancer and life without you." The actress had moved with her husband and children from London to west Cork to slow down shortly before the tragic death. It followed her suffering a suspected infection following the birth of her second child. But her stepmum in London, who she had not seen for 20 years, got in touch and offered to come to Ireland to help Ali and her family - support she said was "incredibly healing". Speaking about the response to her revealing her diagnosis, she said: "The love and support and kindness was incredible. I never know what to respond to those moments. "'It means more than you know' is what I find myself always saying, but I really, really mean that. "I had this amazing thing happen for me in that my stepmum, who I hadn't seen for 20 years, who'd parted company with my dad when I was about 20, when I lost my mum, she reached out to me. "She was like 'Hi, I'm here for you if you need me'. She knew I had a nine-month-old baby. So she just kept an eye on me." Ali added: "When I got my diagnosis she was like 'I'm coming to Cork'. "She spent a week with me and my family. Her sister was an oncology nurse so she had a sense of the treatment plan I was on, and what the months might look like. "She said 'Can I come back and I'll nurse you through this bit?' So she was with me for five weeks through the real tough chemo part. The way my treatment went towards the end, it's quite cumulative. "So she came and helped with the kids and helped me, and talked to me, and looked after me basically, and then came back again when I had my mastectomy and just held me. "Literally sleeves up. It's a really different energy when somebody's like 'I see you in that hole, I want to climb down with you and help you, and please let me do that'. "That's been incredibly healing, like amazing, amazing." 'Crazy little bubble' Speaking after coming back to London and staying with her stepmum, Ali said: "When I come back to London now I stay with her and I have a home here to go to, because I hadn't taken that on board with moving out to Ireland - that there's nowhere to come back to. "I have a place to go, a soft place to go, and that just means so much. "The type of woman that she is, after she and my father parted ways she went on to become a social worker and become really experienced in that. "She's done incredible work in that field for years and years. "So of all the people that I know that would be able to hold that space for me, my children, my husband, all of those dynamics, and you know the way a family undulates at the best of times, when there's something going on there's constant shifts in everyone's ups and downs. "We were kind of in this crazy little bubble going through this nightmare all together - she just had a way of being able to be there for us, and that not be complicated. "She even gave me a mug of tea last night and I looked in the rim and it said 'I told you to sit down'."
