Double Heartbreak: EastEnders Star Heather Peace and Partner Both Diagnosed with Breast Cancer “This marks the end””

“Time to piece myself back together.” That’s the powerful message from EastEnders actress Heather Peace, who has just completed her final round of radiotherapy—marking the close of a gruelling nine-month battle with breast cancer. 

The 50-year-old, best known for playing Eve Unwin on the long-running BBC One soap, revealed her diagnosis last October. Now, in a moving social media update posted on Thursday, July 24, Heather delivered the news her fans had been hoping for—she’s finished chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and is ready to begin the healing process.

Sharing a smiling selfie and a thumbs-up gesture via Instagram Stories, Heather wrote:

“Final round of 15 radiotherapy sessions just completed. This marks the end of a long nine months of diagnosis, surgery, chemo and radio.”

She added:

“Time to piece myself back together. Thanks for the beautiful support.”

Heather also used the opportunity to urge her followers to stay vigilant about their health, tagging her post with #checkyourbreasts and #breastcancerawareness.

The actress, who hails from Bradford and has also starred in Waterloo Road, previously underwent a mastectomy on her left breast in November, after noticing changes to her nipple but initially delaying a doctor’s visit.

In June, she opened up about the emotional toll of hair loss during treatment, posting a video of herself being fitted for a wig. Describing her journey, Heather said:

“I woke up this morning and it was like the end of the London Marathon; I’d turned onto The Mall and could see the giant clock and the finish line.
To conclude – I’ve just picked up my medal.”

But while Heather’s fight has reached a turning point, the heartbreak continues. Earlier this month, she revealed that her partner Ellie Dickinson had also been diagnosed with breast cancer—a devastating double blow.

“Her breast cancer was a smaller, aggressive lump, so she had a lumpectomy and then radiotherapy,” Heather told The Mirror.
“Of course, then I come along with my 12cm lump, absolutely ginormous, and mastectomy, chemotherapy, just about to go into radiotherapy.
She’s like: ‘Even that you have to do bigger.’ It’s like: ‘Hold my beer.’”

Despite it all, Heather continued working on EastEnders through parts of her treatment, balancing her career with her health struggles—and always keeping her sense of humour.

She’s also taken time to express deep gratitude to those who’ve stood by her through it all:

“Thank you to the NHS. You are wonderful, skilled people – you treated me efficiently. You gave me dignity and showed me kindness. It’s so appreciated.”

Now, with her treatment behind her, Heather is looking ahead—to recovery, to rebuilding, and to life beyond cancer.