I'm a Celebrity… South Africa star Beverley Callard has issued a health update to fans on Instagram after her return to the ITV show left some viewers confused.
The all-star spin-off of the jungle series returned to screens on Monday, bringing legendary campmates from previous series back to face new trials in South Africa.
The show, hosted by Ant and Dec, saw the likes of David Haye, Adam Thomas, Ashley Roberts and Scarlett Moffatt brave the return alongside Beverley, and also introduced Gemma Collins and Craig Charles as surprise late arrivals.
© ITVAs the first episode aired, Beverley, 69, who announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, took to Instagram to issue a health update.
Beverley Callard clears up I'm a Celebrity confusion
Curled up on the sofa in her pyjamas, Beverley, who is best known for her role as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, spoke directly to the camera. "First of all, I've got to say Happy Easter – even though it's a bit late – to everybody," she began.
"Not a bad day today, but I didn't eat chocolate because I just didn't fancy it. And also, I want to remind everyone that tomorrow at 9pm, Easter Monday, I'm A Celebrity… South Africa begins."
© ITVClearing up any confusion, Beverley continued: "And I know everybody thinks I'm suddenly going away to South Africa. I'm not. We did film it a little while ago.
"So please watch it because it's frightening, wonderful, horrifying, funny – it was terrifying, exhilarating, everything. But believe me, it's great television, honestly, so I hope you enjoy it."
Beverley Callard's health update
The Coronation Street star, who first appeared on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020, announced her cancer diagnosis in February on Ireland's RTE Late Late Show, and underwent her first round of surgery shortly after.
The actress had recently relocated to Ireland with her husband, Jon McEwan, while appearing in the soap Fair City.
© GettyIn a second video after addressing her I'm a Celebrity appearance, Beverley said she recently received a call from one of the "amazing" cancer care nurses from Norfolk and Norwich Hospital while in the car with Jon.
"She wanted to know how I was doing," she said. "I told her that I've got quite a lot of soreness, which I've not had for ages but it came on a few days ago.
"She said I could be overdoing things, hopefully I'm not, I've had a lazy day today. But then she said, 'No results yet because there is a backlog,' so hopefully I will get them next week."
© Getty ImagesExplaining she was hoping for an update on the surgery results, the actress continued: "You know when your heart is in your mouth? You think, 'This is it. It's coming now, any minute,' and then, no, nothing.
"Obviously, we were still moving in the car, and I just thought, 'I can't do this now, I cannot paint a smile on my face again.' Anyway, I did it. You just do, don't you? Then we went out for some dinner and it was really nice."
Beverley thanks her husband
Beverley made sure to acknowledge her husband, Jon, whom she married in 2010 and who she admitted has been a huge help through her diagnosis.
© PA Images via Getty Images"The other thing I was thinking was that Jon's painting the bedroom in our new home and doing all that so it will be lovely for me for radiotherapy, etc, if I am tired, and I just thought, 'Oh, I could not go through this by myself,'" she said.
"I really feel for anyone who is going through it by themselves, I really do. If you are, you're much stronger than me, that is for sure, and I'm sending you so much love."
