Gwen Taylor has revealed she is battling cancer – but "feels guilty" she is winning the fight following the death of her friend Lynda Bellingham.
The 75-year-old actress underwent surgery for breast cancer two months ago but admits she feels like "one of the lucky ones" after she was left "deeply upset" by the death of her ‘Calendar Girls’ co-star, who passed away on Monday (20.10.14) after losing her battle with colon cancer.
She said: "I was in the bathroom listening to the radio when it came on that she had passed away. It was just so shocking and deeply upsetting. She was such a nice person.
"It made me think how lucky I am. I had breast cancer and underwent surgery in August. I also had radiotherapy but I haven’t needed chemotherapy.
"I’m lucky because the lump was quite tiny and we managed to catch it early. Of course, it was nowhere near as serious as what we’ve seen happen with Lynda.
"I feel like there’s a future for me and I’m really pleased. But I feel guilty – I’m one of the lucky ones."
The ‘Barbara’ star – who played Frank Foster’s mother Anne in ‘Coronation Street’ – was left devastated after losing both Bernie Nolan, who she also starred alongside in stage production ‘Calendar Girls’, and Lynda, who she has described as a "wonderful person".
She added to the Derby Telegraph newspaper: "Bernie Nolan of course died and now Lynda has, too. It’s very sad. I was shocked when I heard how bad Lynda’s situation was a few weeks ago.
"When I heard her talk on the radio, I thought it was one of the bravest things I’ve heard. The way she spoke about it really got me.
"She was a wonderful person. She worked so hard and tirelessly and did so much for charity.
"Off the screen and stage, she was exactly the same smashing woman.
"She was very stylish. I would arrive at the stage door looking like a tramp and she would look like a million dollars with her clothes. She always looked smart and was a very nice person to be around."
Gwen Taylor battling cancer
