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Privacy NoticeIn the 18 years Jennifer Metcalfe has been in Hollyoaks, there isn’t much that her feisty character Mercedes McQueen hasn’t been through – from the tragic deaths of her many husbands, to a psychopathic son and the devastating still birth of Gabriel. However, the matriarch of the McQueen family is about to face her biggest challenge yet, and as a result, so is Jennifer. With the show jumping forward by a year, it was revealed that Mercedes had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, a disease that has affected Jennifer in real-life too.
Mercedes has been shockingly revealed to have bowel cancer
“I have been struggling emotionally,” admits Jennifer, 41. “My dad died when I was 15 from bowel cancer, so it’s very personal to me. I’ve not dealt with my dad’s death for the last 25 years. So I’m a woman grieving for herself, for the character, for the story and for everyone that’s going through it. This storyline is therapy on another level.” Jennifer explains that her dad, Colin, was diagnosed and passed away in the space of a year. “He had chemotherapy but that cancer had spread,” she says. “Once he was on the operating table, there was nothing they could do for him. He went into a hospice, and I was by his side when he died begging him to die because he was going through so much pain.” Fans were completely shocked when Mercedes pulled off her wig to reveal that chemotherapy has resulted in her losing her trademark locks. Mercedes has also been fitted with a stoma, and for the prosthetic and make-up team, it’s a process that takes hours to complete.
Jennifer admits her new storyline has been like ‘therapy’
Sign up to OK!’s TV newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free “They’ve been making me look grey, as poorly as possible,” says Jennifer. “I was losing weight as it happened as well. I wanted this image of a woman that’s so powerful and so strong, to change, because it can happen to anybody. So I really wanted to make that contrast. It all took about seven hours in the make-up chair.” In one particular upcoming scene, Mercedes is completely exposed, wearing nothing but her underwear, no wig and her stoma bag exposed. The emotional scene is one that brought her co-stars to tears, but Jennifer admits she can’t even watch it. “I have to look at the floor,” she says. “I hope whatever is on screen raises awareness more than anything. I think people can be awkward when they talk about bowel cancer, but there’s no better ambassador than me. I’m happy to talk about farting, pooing and bowel movements until the cows come home.” Prior to the time jump, Mercedes almost landed her happy ending with boyfriend, and father of one of her twins, Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas). The pair fled the village with their daughters, Maria-Carmella and Maria-Gabriella, but were halted by Blue and consequently, Warren decided to start a new life alone.
Mercedes and Warren had to bid an emotional farewell to each other
(Image: Lime Pictures)
“What’s really powerful about the year time jump is that you can never take tomorrow for granted,” sighs Jennifer. “Mercedes was madly in love, and then suddenly it’s gone. You could have all your health in the world, a year later, it’s all changed. “When I look at the story, I see my dad, and wonder what he must have felt. Mercedes has two babies, she can’t just stop and think about herself. She’s still balancing her life and that’s important. Mercedes is the same age as me, she’s got her children and I’ve got my little boy, Daye, so I think about if this were to happen to me – because it can happen to any of us.” There’s an extra layer of stress for Mercedes, as the story develops it’s revealed the hospital can’t get hold of the drugs that would help target her specific cancer.
Mercedes has a tough year ahead of her according to actress Jennifer Metcalfe
“Mercedes is really struggling,” confesses Jennifer. “She has had chemotherapy through the NHS and it’s made all her hair fall out. Mercedes then can’t get to her children because her skin is so sensitive. She’s so exhausted, and she knows she doesn’t want to go through that again. So Mercedes is trying to get these different drugs – the problem is that there’s a shortage. “But we know Mercedes, she’s determined. So she’s going to get them, and she’s going to reach out to some friends that will try and help her with that.” After playing Mercedes for almost two decades, Jennifer says it’s not hard to switch to her character when she’s on set, but with this story, it’s hard for her to switch off. “This story is really difficult. I go home, and put my little boy to bed and I feel very thankful. Then I just stare at the ceiling for hours, and think about my dad, and my life. I’m not a method actor, but this has been hard.” Hollyoaks, Mon-Weds, 7am on Channel 4 streaming and 7pm on E4Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnHollyoaksDramaJamie LomasJennifer Metcalfe
