Emmerdale has confirmed Faith Dingle will be told the heartbreaking news that her cancer has returned.
Viewers know that Faith battled breast cancer in the past and underwent a double mastectomy.
Scenes to air later this week on the ITV soap will see Faith receive a secondary breast cancer diagnosis, after initial fears for her health last year.
Faith will learn the consequences of having secondary cancer, but amid tensions within the family she will confide in daughter-in-law Moira Dingle instead of her children Chas and Cain.
As Moira urges Faith to be honest with her kids, Faith is adamant that she wants to mend her relationships first.
The storyline will explore the impact of Faith's cancer diagnosis on herself, but also on her loved ones around her.
Actress Sally Dexter said of the storyline: "It's upsetting, but really important as a storyline, because it's more than a storyline for so many people. It matters to people who are going through it as well as people who will go through it.
"I feel a sense of real responsibility, but also a privilege to be doing this storyline."
Emmerdale Producer Laura Shaw also discussed the devastating plot, promising heart-wrenching yet positive scenes ahead.
She commented: "Faith's devastating cancer diagnosis will impact not only her life, but all those around her.
"We know at the very core of the Dingles is a strong sense of family and love, so for them to try and navigate through this heartbreaking time will be incredibly difficult."
Laura continued: "Faith's zest for life with her spicy sense of humour and appetite for fun and adventure means that while there will inevitably be some painful and heart wrenching moments, we will also see life affirming and positive moments of light in the story too.
"Given the calibre of actor Sally is, I know she will approach the story with great honesty and depth and do it justice and this in turn will raise awareness of such an important issue that affects many people on a daily basis."
Catherine Priestley, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Now, said: "With it estimated that around 35,000 people are living with secondary breast cancer in the UK, it’s been an incredibly important opportunity for us to provide expert guidance around Faith’s storyline – giving a steer to script writers as to how her diagnosis and experience of the disease can be portrayed accurately and raising awareness of some of the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer among millions of Emmerdale fans.
"Everyone’s experience of breast cancer is different, but we know from calls to our Helpline just how anxious women may feel about the possibility of their cancer returning, and how overwhelming the impact of a secondary breast cancer diagnosis can be for patients and their families."
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
