Emmerdale star feared axe before bosses revealed 'terrifying' cancer plot

One cast member feared their time could be up on the show after being called into a meeting with the soap's producers.

Soon they learned there were huge twists planned for their character, including a heartbreaking new cancer storyline. One character will be left "terrified" in upcoming scenes when they learn the devastating news they have cervical cancer.

Diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, the character struggles to open up to anyone before confiding in ex Jacob Gallagher. Sarah Sugden will find out the news next week after undergoing tests and a biopsy, amid her hoping to have IVF to have a baby.

Speaking to The about the tough storyline, actress Katie Hill admitted she initially thought she was about to be axed after recent departures. She told us: "In a soap not everyone can have a big storyline at the same time so I’ve had quite a few quiet years.

"I’m definitely ready to get a storyline and get my teeth into something. So when they called me up for that meeting at first I thought, ‘Oh no…’, but then she sat me down and said we’ve got all this coming up."

READ MORE:

Katie went on: "I was so pleased to find out they trusted me to do all these storylines and I’m really enjoying it. It’s busy, it’s a big transition from going from being quiet and then doing eight scenes every day all week, but I really enjoyed it."

On Sarah's terror over her diagnosis, Katie revealed Sarah will feel as though her world is "crashing down" around her. She explained: "Deep down she’ll always fear cancer. People with focal anaemia are a lot more likely to get cancer throughout their life, so she’s always had that worry.

"But again because she’s been through it since such a young age she’s built up resilience to that sort of thing. She tries to keep a strong head on and be brave, but she does have her moments where she feels like her has come crashing down."

Sharing her own reaction when producers told her what would be happening with Sarah, she revealed she's often done her own research to know what Sarah is up against. She said: "I was excited.

"As actors the thing we love to do most is to be able to tell stories to an audience that can resonate with it, so I was honoured they trusted me to give me this storyline. The research team has worked with charities and it’s been amazing as an actor to be given this storyline. It’s a privilege.

"I had to research all about focal anaemia. I’ve definitely looked into that side of things. I think it’s important when playing a character to be true to yourself.

"You want to know about it all, you don't just want to read it from a script even though I know the team have been amazing. But for myself I like to know exactly where I’m at."

Katie added: "She’s had to grow up quickly and that is why she’s so clued up with it and on it with what she wants, cos she's been through so much from such a young age. She’s definitely had to grow up a lot quicker than most people her age."

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , , and .