Tony Audenshaw has opened up about his late wife Ruth’s cancer battle before she died at the age of 43 in April 2017.
The Emmerdale actor, 57, has played Bob Hope in the popular soap for more than 20 years.
He appeared on Thursday’s This Morning to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and give advice on how to spot it early.
ony explained that Ruth’s tumour was initially said to be ‘inoperable’, but they managed to find a doctor in Germany who was able to operate.
However, tragically the couple then discovered two months later that the cancer had spread.
He explained: ‘Part of the thing when you have surgery is that you can’t have chemotherapy for a little while because, obviously chemotherapy kills the good cells as well as the bad cells, so while it was all clinging together, some cells got loose.
‘It was quite devastating, because it was probably two months after the operation that we found out it had spread already.’
Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis, the pair tried to remain positive and made the decision to ‘live life like you are retired’.
Tony said: ‘Ruth went on her last harsh chemotherapy and there were days when she was really tired and couldn’t do much, but on the days where she felt good, she was doing stuff.
‘She met up with friends, she carried on cycling because she loved cycling and it was a case of not being stuck in the hospital all the time or going for appointments all the time, getting out on that bike and feeling the wind on her hair.
