Steph Cunningham's Cancer Battle

Steph Cunningham will be devastated to learn she has cervical cancer.

The 'Hollyoaks' character - played Carley Stenson - is shocked to discover she is ill with the disease after ignoring the signs something was wrong.

Carley said: "It's cervical cancer. The storyline begins with a doctor breaking the news to Steph.

"She's been told she needs follow-up tests. Her initial reaction is to ignore the letter telling her to go for an appointment with the oncologist. She's too scared to go."

Although she is upset by the news, Steph is too frightened to tell her new love interest Gilly Roach (Anthony Quinlan) - who she has been pursuing for months - in case she puts him off.

She said: "She should but she doesn't. They've only just got together and she wants to spare him the pain of having a girlfriend with cancer. She's also worried it might put him off her.

"They really love each other and when Gilly knows the truth, I'm sure he'll support Steph."