'Emmerdale' actress Olivia Bromley has "challenging and heartbreaking" scenes ahead when her on-screen son is diagnosed with cancer.
Olivia Bromley has some tough scenes ahead
The 29-year-old star's alter ego Dawn Taylor and her husband Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) are to face turmoil when they are told baby Evan has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and though the actress knows it will be a tough plot to play out, she thinks it is an "important" topic for the soap to tackle.
She said: "This is an incredibly challenging and heartbreaking story, but such an important story for Emmerdale to tell. I've learnt so much since working with Leukaemia Care and speaking to parents whose children have been diagnosed, and we want to not only raise awareness but to do justice to the experience of families who are blindsided by a diagnosis like this.
"For Dawn and Billy, like many parents, Evan's diagnosis turns their world upside down so unexpectedly. It's been inspiring to hear the stories of strength, resilience and also to hear of the incredible NHS staff who do such invaluable work when parents' are at their lowest, so I hope we can also reflect this as we approach this storyline."
Soap bosses are working closely with the charity Leukaemia Care on the storyline, to ensure a realistic and authentic depiction, and the organisation praised the ITV show for helping to raise awareness.
Colin Dyer, CEO at Leukaemia Care commented: "Every year 10,000 people are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK. A leukaemia diagnosis can affect not just the patient, but also their loved ones such as friends and family.
"The Baby Evan storyline being featured on Emmerdale, is helping to deliver a very important message not just about the awareness of the symptoms and the condition, but about how it affects the family and those around them."
'Emmerdale' boss Laura Shaw pledged to handle Evan's illness "sensitively".
She said: "Evan's leukaemia diagnosis will come abruptly and without warning for Dawn and Billy, like it does for many parents who find themselves facing this devastating situation.
"Working closely with Leukaemia Care, it's vital to us that we portray this story as accurately and sensitively as possible and do justice to those faced with a diagnosis like this and highlight the severe impact a long term illness like this can have on families lives."