Emmerdale star Tony Audenshaw has revealed the heartbreaking moment he was told his wife Ruth had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The actor – who plays cafe owner Bob Hope in the ITV soap – lost wife Ruth to pancreatic cancer earlier this year and he is now speaking out to raise awareness of Pancreatic Cancer UK, Ruth’s final wish.
The 53-year-old actor told The Mirror: “I remember being very quiet as we walked to the hospital car park, then breaking down in the car.
“Before, we worried about forgetting to put the bin out. Now Ruth was going to be dead within a year after a horrible illness.”
Read more: Emmerdale fans broken by heartbreaking scenes
The actor went on to share how brave Ruth was determined to help as many people as she could after her terminal diagnosis.
“She knew it was too late for her, but she wanted to help others. Two weeks before she died she had some of her cells harvested to be used in research trials.
“They might be pivotal in some kind of breakthrough. I have to hope so.
“That’s what Ruth was all about. She was a brilliant person. She was so brave.
Read more: Emmerdale fans in tears as former character appears on screen
“It’s really unfair that she’s gone, but my life was enriched so much by spending 24 years with her.”
Tony and Ruth also compiled questions for the Big Purple Quiz to raise money for the charity as part of November’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
To sign up for the Big Purple Quiz for Pancreatic Cancer UK visit pancreaticcancer.org.uk/pcam