Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian reveals she’s secretly been dealing with tragic death of her mum amid cancer diagnosis
ALI Bastian has been hit by a personal tragedy as she recovers from her cancer diagnosis.
The Hollyoaks star, 43, bravely revealed her loss in an emotional message posted to her Instagram grid.
Ali, who previously told she is “free from cancer” after having a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, is now battling with grief following the death of her “beautiful” mum.
Alongside a snap showing the pair together at her wedding, she wrote: “I wrote this on Mother’s Day but didn’t end up posting, but here goes…. TW grief.
“We lost our beautiful Mum in the autumn of ‘23, only a few months before my diagnosis.
“A sudden death after a short terrible illness. Impossible to make sense of.
“Grief, I attempted to put on hold whilst I managed a gruelling treatment regime now comes in waves, sometimes crashing, sometimes tidal, rarely gentle… but I try to go gently with myself as I navigate life after cancer and life without you.”
Continuing to open up on her state of mind the Channel 4 actress, who played the soap’s Becca Dean, added: “I love you Mum, always and forever.
“Days like today are so complicated… letting in all the love from my little people and loving them back with all my might whilst the child within me longs for your arms wrapped tight around me.
“I hope you are watching over us Mum and I hope we are making you proud.”
One fan wrote: “I admire your great strength and courage Ali. Your mums spirit is here with you and your family. Sending love always.”
A second simply put: “Thinking of you.”
A third then wrote: “This is beautiful and so are you and your Mum and I’m sure she’s so proud of you xx”
In 2023, Ali faced further woe after her best friend passed away shortly after the birth of her child.
CANCER BATTLE
Ali was diagnosed with breast cancer last year after discovering a lump she initially thought was a blocked milk duct while breastfeeding her youngest child.
Ali had returned to breastfeeding youngest daughter Izzy, now two, through the night and assumed that was why her boobs were sore.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS
But the pain did not go away and tests revealed cancer.
She was was told last June that she had stage 2 breast cancer.
Yet this March, she had a much happier update for fans.
On her social media page she wrote: “I wanted to update you all. I’m on to my final week of radiotherapy, which should mark the end of my active treatment — I hope and pray for good!
“I had my mastectomy in January, which was thankfully a success and has healed really well. It proved that my chemo had worked.
“As I sit here right now, I’m free from cancer. I can’t even believe it.”
Amid her health battle, she told how she had quit acting and the UK for a life in Ireland.
She told told how jetting away from home turf was part of a wider “healing” process both for herself and her family.