Corrie's Victoria Ekanoye recently celebrated two important milestones after being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy. The stage and screen actress, from Bury, was diagnosed in October 2021 after finding a lump while feeding her baby boy Théo, who she had welcomed in January that year with her partner Jonny Lomas.
Victoria, who played Angie Appleton in Corrie, dazzled at a 'Bye Bye Boobies' party in her honour ahead of her surgery in December 2021. Speaking on the ITV chat show Loose Women ahead of her bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction, she said about her adorable boy: "How can I not do everything I can in my power to be here for him? We'll do everything we can to give him the best life."
And doting mum Victoria, who was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ - when cancer cells have developed within the milk ducts in the breast, is proud to see her little boy thriving. "He's running, talking and he knows his numbers, He's so smart," she told us.
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Last month she marked her son's second birthday with a gorgeous mother and son photo as she shared a heartfelt post on her Instagram: "TWO TODAY," she wrote. And Victoria marvelled: "I’ll never get over the fact that you’re my boy…Happy Birthday Théo.
"You’re my funny, clever, beautiful little heartbeat and I can’t believe how lucky I am that I get to spend the rest of my life being your mama. Je t’aime mon cœur (I love you my sweetheart)."
The previous month Victoria celebrated a "blessed life" and "fighting through the fog" to mark her 41st birthday and almost a year since surgery as she posed in a blue bikini. "Celebrating a blessed life," she typed on her social media with her first swim suit shot, saying the she thought she wouldn't dare to wear a bikini again.
"Today is my 41st birthday, and I've been taking some time to reflect on just how lucky I am. It’s been almost a year since the surgery and after everything that’s happened, both physically and mentally, I’m finally feeling comfortable in my own skin.
"I’ve never posted a swim shot before (I guess I’ve had my reservations), but when I look at these photos, I feel strong, focused and ready. After a double mastectomy I thought I wouldn’t dare wear a bikini again.
"And I know it’s only aesthetics, but after that kind of blow, how you feel when you look in the mirror carries a lot more weight. I’m proud to say that I’ve come this far."
Victoria thanked Hollywood star Liz Hurley, her co-star on the US series The Royals, and her son Damian for their support, explaining that Damian was the photographer for the sensational shoot. "I want to give a special thank you to @elizabethhurley1 and @damianhurley1 for igniting the fire in my belly that made me feel confident as a woman again." she wrote.
And in a tribute to her man Jonny she wrote: "The biggest thank you has to go to my friends and family…but in particular my @jonnylomas_ Baby, we’ve had a really rough ride this past year.
"The perseverance, hope, patience and love that it’s taken for us to get through it all…I’m so so proud of us…and look at our boy! Our beautiful, smart, cheeky little angel, Théo, who brings us pride every single day and truly has been our guiding light. I love you both so much."
She added: "It has to be said, this has been the most challenging time of my entire life but I will always be grateful for the lessons, I’ll never forget the tough days, and will forever cherish my loved ones; who came together and formed a safety net, whilst I fought my way through the fog. #breastcancerawareness #cancersurvivor #gratitudeattitude."
Victoria, who on Sunday night starred as Liv Masters in the ITV crime drama Vera, is now proud to be playing a big role in the 10th anniversary ball for the charity Mummy’s Star, which supports women and birthing people, and their families, dealing with cancer in and around pregnancy. She is teaming up with TV presenter Jenny Powell to host the ball at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester on Saturday, June 17.
The Mummy’s Star Charity Ball will also be supported by its Coronation Street patrons Katie McGlynn and Rob Mallard. Katie, who played new mum Sinead Osbourne who died nine months after giving birth to son Bertie in the soap, and Rob Mallard, who plays widower Daniel Osbourne were both supported by the charity during Sinead Tinker’s National Television Awards-winning cervical cancer storyline.
Victoria a prime example of the many mums supported by Mummy's Star, founded in 2013 by Pete Wallroth in memory of his late wife Mair, from Hadfield, Derbyshire, who died just 10 weeks after the birth of son Merlin after being diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 19 weeks pregnant in June 2012.
Pete said: “We’re delighted to be able to mark 10 years of Mummy’s Star supporting families around the country in this rare and extremely challenging situation. It will be a night of celebration, reflection, and tribute to those most important: Those who we’ve helped, those who have helped us become the charity we are, the amazing NHS staff who we work with, and remembering those wonderful families we have sadly lost.
"To have Jenny and Victoria host this for us is a fabulous indication of how we have touched people with our work and message about cancer and pregnancy.”
Victoria said: “Mummy’s Star is a charity very close to my heart after experiencing my own journey with breast cancer shortly after giving birth to my son Théo. I’m thrilled to be hosting their charity ball alongside the wonderful Jenny Powell, it’s going to be a magical evening and I hope lots of you can join us on the night!”
And Katie added: “I’ve been a patron of Mummy’s Star since 2019. Pete and the charity were a huge support to myself and Rob during Sinead’s cervical cancer storyline at Corrie. What Mummy’s Star do for the many women and families they support is nothing short of amazing. I’m proud to continue supporting them and cannot wait to celebrate their 10th anniversary this June - you do not want to miss it!”
Tickets are limited and start at £75 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets visit mummysstar.org/charityball
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