EastEnders star Samantha Womack shares cancer diagnosis

Ex-EastEnders actor Samantha Womack has announced she has cancer, in a heartbreaking tribute to Olivia Newton-John.

Sharing a picture with the late Grease star, Womack wrote: "This was the most magical of evenings. Olivia and Chloe had come to see Grease in London and we had dinner together afterwards. I was so excited and in awe, she was my childhood."

She finished her tribute by revealing she is battling cancer. "I now start my own battle with this disease and am left feeling deeply moved."

Newton-John died on Monday (8 August) aged 73, her husband confirmed in a heartbreaking social media post.

She became a prominent breast cancer campaigner after she was given the first of three cancer diagnoses in 1992.

Following her initial battle with the disease, she had a partial mastectomy and reconstruction.

Newton-John remained cancer-free until a recurrence in 2013, then in September 2018 she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer for the third time in three decades, telling Australian news programme Sunday Night that doctors had found a tumour in her lower back in 2017.

The singer said she was treating the illness 'naturally' and was using cannabis oil made from marijuana her husband grows in California to alleviate the pain.

Womack left Albert Square in 2017 after her character Ronnie Mitchell was killed on screen alongside her on-screen sister Roxy (portrayed by Rita Simmons).

Newton-John, a beloved actor and singer, died aged 73 on Monday (8 August) surrounded by her family at her California ranch.

In the statement announcing her passing, her husband of 14 years said the star's last request was for donations to be made to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.

The independent charity was established by Newton-John to help sponsor global research into plant medicine to treat cancer.

"Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer," Easterling said in a statement.

"Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.

"In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org)."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week