Sally Dynevor has discussed her feelings about potentially stepping back from acting and finding alternative ways to handle situations.
The performer, who is 61, learned she had breast cancer in 2009 when she was 46.
The actress, famous for her portrayal of Sally Metcalfe on the ITV soap since 1986, found out about her own health condition on the same day she filmed the scene where her character told her on-screen husband about her diagnosis.
In a conversation with Prima magazine, she said she would handle the storyline differently if she had the chance, now that she has lived through it personally.
She explained that there are particular moments in the programme, such as the breast cancer plot, that she would approach quite differently if she could go back. Because she actually experienced it herself, she knew what fighting breast cancer involves and how much you hide your pain from those nearest to you. She thinks she did not portray it that way initially. Her character was very tearful and upset, but now she feels she would go back and perform it completely differently because real-life experiences make you think, I should not have done that, I should not have done this.
She went on to say that when she came back after being away for six months, she felt incredibly emotional and grateful that she certainly did not take it for granted, but after leaving and wondering whether she would ever come back, and then being able to do what she loves, she just feels so thankful for that opportunity.
Dynevor described the role as the perfect job and admitted she never thought, not in a million years, that she would spend four decades on the famous street.
She said she simply thought it would be a year at most, but looking back she thinks four decades is an amazing amount of time. Not many people remain in the same profession for 40 years any more, especially in acting. She does not think she will ever stop working. She will stay there as long as they want her, and if they no longer want her, she will still try to do something else, because the idea of retirement seems dreadful to her. When you love your job, why would you want to give it up? She goes to work every day surrounded by wonderful young people who are teaching her about what is happening in the world and what is in fashion, and they are stimulating and interesting. She loves young people. So the thought of quitting all of that and sitting at home wondering what to do with herself seems unimaginable.