Emmerdale star Liam Fox reveals eight year cancer struggle following surgery
The actor first noticed signs in 2017
Former Emmerdale star Liam Fox has revealed how he had an operation in February to remove a patch of ‘carcinoma’ from his skin after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
The actor, 54, left the soap two years ago after 12 years of playing Dan Spencer. During this time, Liam had grown concerned that a patch of flaky skin on left temple might be something more serious.
First noticing signs of skin cancer in 2017, Liam wasn’t diagnosed until January 2024 – subsequently undergoing an operation to remove the patch of skin.
Emmerdale star Liam Fox reveals cancer diagnosis and surgery
In an interview with The Sun, Liam said: “I went to the doctors and they said ‘Oh no, it’s just flakey skin’ it’s fine, it’s nothing to worry about. A few weeks later I went back to them again because it was still there, I just wasn’t happy with what they’d told me, it just didn’t feel right.”
He continued to go to the doctor to seek help, who diagnosed him with a condition called ‘Solar Keratosis,’ and giving him cream for the problem. This cleared up the issue until a year later, when it returned.
After doctors took a sample, he was promised that he’d have answers within six months. However, this wasn’t to be, and a year passed before Liam sought help again.
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“I told them that I really needed to sort it out as it was still bleeding. The woman on the desk said, ‘Oh yeah, you should have been seen by now.’ I got a meeting at the hospital a couple of days later. The doctor that I saw admitted that I should have been seen much sooner,” said the actor, who left the soap in 2023.
He continued: “It was January 2024 by this point. They finally told me that it was a ‘carcenoma’ we’ll have to get that out. They don’t grow very quickly but we’ll get it sorted.”
Liam Fox undergoes surgery for skin cancer
After the NHS told him that his operation wouldn’t be for another six months, Liam kept pushing. Doctors eventually gave him a surgery date in February.
“A carcinoma tends to just damage the surrounding area. It can invade and go into your bones and your skull and cause damage, but they seem quite happy that it’s all gone okay,” the Dan Spencer star revealed.
“I feel alright, and everything is healing nicely. I only went in for the day and had some local anaesthetic and they cut it out. They seem quite happy that it’s all gone okay. I’ve got to go back in six weeks for a routine check-up.”
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The actor has kept fans updated with a number of posts to his Instagram account. Last month, he shared a series of images of the post-surgery scars, reminding sun-lovers to take care.
“Been waiting ages to have a basal cell carcinoma removed… finally sorted at the fabulous plastic surgery dept at #StHelens #Hospital …what an absolutely superb fun friendly team #SkinCancerAwareness #sun #lotion #NHS #NHSApp,” Liam wrote in a post in February.
“Keep out of the sun when we get it folks,” he added.
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Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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