Viewers will see Hayley called in by her doctor for tests after a routine medical shows up abnormalities. And she is devastated when the results reveal that she has potentially fatal stage 2 pancreatic cancer. But in typical Hayley fashion she is more concerned about how Roy will cope with the news than her own health.
Throughout the rest of the year we will follow the Cropper’s on their journey as they come to terms with the devastation this awful disease causes but there will also be many laughs along the way as Hayley deals with her diagnosis in her own inimitable style.
ITV have worked closely with Pancreatic Cancer UK (www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk) on the storyline and the charity’s support line will be broadcast after the episodes on July 22nd when Hayley is diagnosed.
Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh announced earlier this year that she was leaving the soap after 15 years and feels honoured that her departure storyline gives her the opportunity to explore a subject that affects so many people.
She said: “I do feel really honoured to be given the opportunity to play this storyline because cancer in general is something that affects everybody. Hayley’s issues of being a transgender was a great opportunity to bring an unusual issue into people’s living rooms and to teach them about something that was new to many. This is a chance to go through something that has touched pretty much everybody in one way or another. It’s universal, it’s about someone you care about and it’s about how they’re just muddling through. They have their highs and low but it’s not without its comedy. There are moments where it is heartbreaking, but it’s not all weepy, for the most part it’s just Roy and Hayley dealing with it in a very ‘Roy and Hayley’ way.
“I do remember reading the scripts for the first time and being inconsolable. Every single page I was heartbroken because it’s a really strange thing. She’s not me, but she’s a massive part of me. She’s been a huge part of my life for over 15 years.”
Alex Ford, Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK comments, “Pancreatic cancer does not have a very high public profile so we are very grateful to ITV for raising awareness of it through Hayley’s story. At Pancreatic Cancer UK we support people affected by the disease. We understand all too well the devastating affect pancreatic cancer can have on those diagnosed, and their families. To help, we provide support and extensive information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment to anyone who needs it.”
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12 comments:
this storyline is going to kill me! Really looking forward to it though as very fond of these characters...
Julie must have wanted the door closed for any possible return then. I am SO sad about this story though I'm sure Sylvia, Roy and Hayley will be absolutely brilliant in carrying it out.
How on earth am I going to get through the next 6 months :(
I am gunna need a lot of water to compensate for the inevitable tears.
I do NOT want to watch this, end of. :(
This is going to be very hard to watch -- not only because I don't want to see Hayley leave, but also because I had a close relative die of pancreatic cancer a few years ago. All of that being said, I cannot imagine better actors with whom to entrust this story line.
-- Denise
Oh no this is gonna kill me. I'm gonna be an emotional wreck over the next six months.
I wish the door was left open for a return, but better this than either Roy or Hayley have some marital strife or heaven forbid, an affair. Glad Julie Hes is bowing out under the new regime and not under Collinson's "explosive" exits.
I was already welling up when Hayley was in the doctor's, such good acting and such loved characters NOOOOOOO
I live in terrible fear of cancer because I have Lynch Syndrome. I don't really want to watch a story about it and may give Corrie a miss until it's over. Would I be right in saying it's always the women who get cancer in soaps?
It really is a tribute to Julie and the writers who created her character that fans are so distraught at the prospect of her impending departure.
I was welling up just watching Haley sitting with her head on Roy's shoulder after Sylvia went off to bed..I don't think I'll make it till she's gone either, so I might give it a miss too. Haley was by far my favorite. As Fiz put it..'if only everyone saw the world through your eyes'. Fabulous character and actor!
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