Samantha Womack has been diagnosed with breast cancer, with the former EastEnders star paying tribute to Olivia newton John as she revealed the news.
Like many others, Samantha, most famous for playing Ronnie Mitchell in the BBC soap, was saddened by the death of Grease icon and music legend Olivia, after her husband confirmed she'd passed away on Monday evening after bravely battling breast cancer for a number of years.
News of Olivia's death prompted an outpouring of grief across the world, with fans and famous friends all paying tribute to the woman who many people grew up with. Among them was Samantha, who represented the UK at Eurovision in the early 90s.
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And, as Samantha, who has recently been on stage in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Addams Family, posted a photograph of her with Olivia after the megastar came to see her perform in Grease, she told fans that she was now ready to fight cancer herself.
Next to the picture on Twitter, the 49-year-old 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. I now start my own battle with this disease and am left feeling deeply moved."
Fans and friends were quick to respond, with one of Samantha's followers telling her: "No battle, Sam. Be a good patient. Listen, learn, follow the dr'as advice. Take all the help and support you are offered. Be open and talk. You’ve got this."
A second wrote: "Sending so much love and best wishes to you!!! You are strong and will beat this."
Samantha Giles, best known for playing Bernice in Emmerdale, was among the countless others to wish Samantha well, writing: "I don’t know you but I saw this tweet and wish you lots of luck with your treatment. You can beat this," while TV soap expert Sharon Marshal told her: "Wishing you love and strength."
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