Gillian Wright is learning "to be better at living in the moment" since playing out her ‘EastEnders’ cancer storyline.
The 59-year-old star’s character Jean Slater was diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier this year, and as a result the actress is trying not to get "so stressed" about things like DIY in her personal life.
She said: "I’m definitely trying to be present. I always thought I was very good at living in the moment but I can’t tell you the number of times when I’ve thought ‘Where’s your head at, girl?’
"So I’m learning to be better at living in the moment, and teaching myself to not get so stressed about stuff, like DIY situations; to try and just work things through so that you achieve the end result you want."
And Gillian admits Jean has "grown enormously" throughout the hard-hitting plot, and has managed to find a "strength of character".
She added to What’s On TV magazine: "Jean has grown enormously, and learnt to be brave on many occasions and for many reasons – particularly at this time, when her son and daughter aren’t around and she’s going through what she’s going through.
"The side effects of the treatment are the most debilitating, and she has found a strength of character because she has got through it, so far."
Gillian recently admitted she decided not to shave her head for her cancer plot because it "didn’t sit right" with her.
When asked if she considered lopping off her locks for the storyline, she said: "I did give that a lot of thought.
"But there were two main reasons I didn’t go down that path.
"I’ve got friends and family who are going through, or have gone through, treatment for cancer, and some of whom have lost their hair.
"And it just didn’t sit right with me to do this as a game of pretend."
Gillian Wright learning to be ‘better at living in the moment’
