HOLLYOAKS' one-year time jump has revealed a shock cancer battle for Mercedes McQueen. Mercedes - played by Jennifer Metcalfe - has been a regular on Hollyoaks since 2006. A new storyline has seen the long-term character diagnosed with bowel cancer , The story picks up several months after the initial diagnosis, with Mercedes having had surgery to fit a stoma and colostomy bag as well as chemotherapy alongside a diagnosis of a secondary tumour.
Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said: "The advice and guidance of Bowel Cancer UK has been invaluable. "In coming months we will be with Mercedes as she continues to receive treatment and we will see how that impacts her physically and emotionally and the impact on her friends and family. Read more on Hollyoaks "We will also learn how her diagnosis came about, and through that, how we can all be vigilant with spotting symptoms.
"We know that portrayals on television increase awareness and the numbers of people seeking advice and very much hope that this storyline will play a part in that." Revealing how the storyline hits close to home, Jennifer Metcalfe said: "This story is incredibly important to me. When I was aged 15 I lost my dad to bowel cancer and it has impacted my life hugely.
"I have never taken my own health for granted, so when we discussed the storyline I jumped at the chance to do anything that might encourage conversation. Most read in Soaps “Mercedes deals with it in her own way, she’s never felt so vulnerable. "We.