EastEnders’ Mo: Wendy Richard saved my life
‘She insisted I get cancer check’
EASTENDERS star Laila Morse says Wendy Richard saved her life after insisting she get doctors to check a lump in her breast.
And surviving cancer is why Laila, who played Big Mo Harris in the soap, stripped off for this year’s Full Monty extravaganza – an annual show to highlight the importance of checking your body for the disease.
Laila, 76, got breast cancer 21 years ago – four years after Wendy Richard was first diagnosed with the condition. She said: “I found this lump and I told Wendy [who died of cancer in 2009] and she said, ‘Go to the doctor, I don’t like the sound of that’.
“So I did… and within two weeks I’d had the mammogram, and I had breast cancer…
“And I think if it hadn’t been for her, I don’t think I would be here today. I’m doing this so everybody knows to get it checked out.”
The Strictlythemed show, choreographed by Diversity dancer Ashley Banjo, took place in Blackpool.
And Laila’s not the only participant to have a personal reason for getting naked.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star James
Jordan, 43, lost his father, Allan, to a brain tumour last March. Taking part in rehearsals and sharing experiences has helped him. “It’s been like therapy,” he says. Homes Under the Hammer star Martin Roberts, 58, lost his best friend Dave four years ago. He said: “Dave was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 52 and died two years later. He was a typical bloke and procrastinated when he had blood in his poo.”
Loose Women star Brenda Edwards, 52, had a tough time in 2015. She said: “I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and had a mastectomy. “This is me celebrating five years of being cancer free.” Love Island’s Demi Jones was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in March. She’s now had two surgeries and radio iodine therapy treatment. She said: “When I was diagnosed, I was in a room with old people and I remember thinking, ‘I’m 23 years old…and getting really upset. I hope I can raise awareness among young people to check their lumps.”
● Strictly The Real Full Monty, ITV, December 13 and 14, 9pm.