Samantha Womack, a former star of EastEnders, has been given a breast cancer diagnosis.
In a homage to Olivia Newton-John, who passed away on Monday morning at the age of 73 following a protracted battle with cancer, the 49-year-old soap star said on Tuesday that she had “begun her own struggle” with the illness.
She shared a photo of the two with Olivia’s daughter Chloe taken in 1993, when Samantha was playing Sandy in the West End version of Grease as a homage to the late actress.
This was the most enchanted of evenings, Samantha wrote as the image’s caption. After seeing Grease together in London, Olivia and Chloe joined us for supper.
She was my childhood, and I was thrilled and amazed. I now begin my own fight against this illness and am profoundly impacted. #OliviaNewtonJohn.’
Samantha, who starred as Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders from 2007 to 2017, received a barrage of condolence messages from her renowned friends right once.
Comedian Shappi Khorsandi wrote: “Sending the most brilliant White Witch support and love x” in reference to the star’s upcoming role in the West End production of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Rita Simons, Samantha’s on-screen sister from EastEnders, tweeted: “Love you forever dear sis.”
Sharon Marshall, a soap opera specialist for This Morning, tweeted: “Wishing you love and strength,” and Lucia Keskin, an actor, added: “Sending strength.” I adore you so much!”
Samantha, who has two kids with her ex-husband Mark, Benjamin, 21, and Lili Rose, 17, did not elaborate on her diagnosis.
In a recent interview, the celebrity talked about her problematic family life and said she was “glad” to be able to speak to her ex-husband, who she divorced in 2020, “two or three times a day.”
“Mark and I raised a family pretty successfully, so we agreed that we didn’t mind parting in terms of a traditional marriage, but honestly I would have really suffered if we hadn’t kept a relationship, because that was part of my life for 20 years,” the woman added.
Mark will ask, “Can I pop round next week – can you have the two Chihuahuas?” when we call two or three times a day. ‘Yeah, but can you have the cat next week?’ I’ll reply.
Oliver Farnworth, a former Coronation Street actor, and Samantha are currently dating. The two of them now reside in Spain after moving to Valencia at the beginning of the year.
The romance between the two was first made public in May of last year when a source claimed: “Samantha and Oliver had great chemistry on stage and stayed close after the play.”
They have enjoyed dating privately and couldn’t be happier.
They have interacted with one other’s families, and everything seems extremely normal. They are completely in love with one another.
Also, Mark, her ex, is delighted for her. Everything is incredibly mature and contemporary.
Samantha’s open post was made following Olivia’s death after a 30-year struggle with breast cancer.
After a protracted battle with breast cancer, Olivia, who gained worldwide fame for playing Sandy in the 1978 film Grease, passed away at her southern California home in the company of her family.
The actress’ final request, according to her husband, was for contributions to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund to be paid “in place of flowers.”
The organization provides funding for studies into natural cancer therapies and plant-based therapy.
Just before Christmas, Olivia produced a final video in which she thanked her followers for their years of support.
She remarked, “I simply wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you a primarily healthy, happy, and quiet Christmas.”
I realize that this has been a very, very, very terrible period for everyone on the earth; therefore, this is a time for us to get together, celebrate one another and our families, and whatever faith you practice, we can do so together, which is crucial.
“I want to thank you all for your support throughout the years. I wish you the best and send you love and light.”
When Olivia was only 44 years old, her struggle with breast cancer first started. She was frank about her condition and treatment, which infamously used marijuana for medical purposes.
2013 and 2017 saw recurrences of her cancer.
