Into battle!

Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick on Vanessa’s bowel cancer and the soap breaking new ground…

- ALISON SLADE

EMMERDALE

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY / ITV / 7PM / SOAP

The year 2020 has quickly become an annus horribili for Emmerdale’s Vanessa Woodfield. At the same time she was being held hostage by killer and rapist Pierce Harris, she received the devastating news she had bowel cancer.

Having recently undergone surgery to remove a tumour, this week the vet heads to hospital for her first round of chemotherapy.

‘It’s one mountain to climb after another,’ says Michelle Hardwick, who plays the scared mum. ‘She’s thinking, “I’ve had the surgery – now let’s face the next hurdle.”’

Can Vanessa win her battle? And how will her treatment affect her relationship with fiancée Charity? Michelle, 44, tells us more…