EastEnders' Jean Slater is to battle ovarian cancer.
Gillian Wright as Jean Slater
The loveable cleaner - played by Gillian Wright - will be diagnosed with the disease in the coming weeks, and the actress is working closely with Macmillan Cancer Support to ensure the plot is portrayed accurately.
She said: "It's an honour and a huge responsibility to be taking on such an enormous issue, affecting so many women and their families. I'm aware of the impact such stories can have.
"It's important we treat the issue of cancer diagnosis and treatment with huge sensitivity, dignity and respect. I hope the storyline helps awareness of the disease and is supportive to those that are affected."
'EastEnders' boss Kate Oates has backed Gillian to play out the hard-hitting plot with "great truth and depth".
She said: "Jean's diagnosis will impact every aspect of her life, including her family, her friendship groups and her mental health, and I know an actor of Gillian's calibre will approach the story with great truth and depth.
"The Slaters are an amazing ensemble family, full of complex and well-drawn characters, and this story is a completely fresh subject for them to tackle.
"I know they'll do it justice and in turn raise awareness of such an important issue that affects so many people."
This comes just a week after it was confirmed Rob Kazinsky will return to the soap as Jean's son Sean Slater, and he is expected to head back to Albert Square because of his mum's illness.
Rob wrote on Twitter: "Happy to be back, I have a short break between projects and Kate Oates is a superstar. It's something I always wanted to do to say thank you to Sean and the show, and we have worked to fit it in in the most explosive way. I think you'll be... entertained."