Beloved EastEnders star Heather Peace, known best to fans as the indomitable Eve Panesar-Unwin, took to Instagram to share a major step forward as she recovers from breast cancer.
In a number of warm clips from behind the scenes of EastEnders, Heather celebrated her final scenes in which she’ll be wearing a wig while filming.
‘Today I filmed the last scene with the wig. She’s been a wonderful companion,’ she captioned the video. But me & her are over…I won’t ever forget her support in my down times. But it’s time I moved on. It’s a beautiful Friday. Happy weekend to one & all’
The video begins with Heather informing make up artist Gary Jordan that she’d filmed her last scene sporting her wig. ‘From here on in, we’ll be shorn. Like a sheep!’ she said. ‘It’s true, short hair!’ Gary added.
In a video with co-star Balvinder Sopal, who plays Eve’s wife, Suki Panesar-Unwin, Heather sang: ‘it’s the last scene with the wig!’
‘I’d just like to give a round of applause to the wig! It’s a wrap on the wig!’ she joked, as Balvinder clapped enthusiastically. ‘Bless her! She’s done! She’s never missed a day!’
‘She’s never got a line wrong!’ Balvinder added. ‘Always on time, looking sharp!’
‘Wigs coming off, dancing pants on!’ Heather exclaimed, while Balvinder added ‘big things coming!’
Filming in the make up area, Heather announced ‘we’re in make up, it’s an official wrap on the wig!’ as the hair and make up staff cheered her on.
‘Off she goes, I’ll be back like a labradoodle in no time!’
Warning the hair stylists of what’s to come, Heather said: ‘I haven’t told any of you, it’s really curly and feels like my brother’s dogs fur, who is a labradoodle…so that’s a slight worry!’
The video was flooded with sweet comments from current and former co-stars. Max Bowden, who played Ben Mitchell, wrote: ‘Love you so much! You’re astounding’. Balvinder commented: ‘STUNNING! I can’t wait to see Eve rocking your new hair, it’s beautiful,’ while Shiv Jalota, who plays Vinny Panesar added a string of heart emoji’s.
Heather revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May, sharing an emotional post detailing the journey she’d been on with the disease.
She uploaded a video showing the process of getting a wig fitted before beginning to film as Eve in a truly moving post.
The process of getting the wig fitted and adjusted to fit her style was a moving process for Heather, who was constantly supported by her friends throughout.
In the caption of the video, Heather said: ‘This video is an important part of my recent journey, which I wanted to share with you. It’s been about the #TeamEffort here @bbceastenders I needed a wig fitting.
‘I’ve been on quite a road for many months now. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of October,’ she said.
‘Since then I’ve undergone surgery and recovery over the Christmas period and today my chemotherapy journey ended.’
‘I’ve been on quite a road for many months now. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of October. Since then I’ve undergone surgery and recovery over the Christmas period and today my chemotherapy journey ended.’
‘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 & the finish line. To conclude – I’ve just picked up my medal.’
‘But I’m forever changed. During this time I’ve narrowed my world. I’ve had the most precious time with my wife Ellie and our 3 girls; Annie, Jessie & Lola.
‘Just trying to appreciate every moment of them. I’ve stayed still. I’ve found joy in the simplest of things. Interactions with others have felt honest and real because I’ve had no capacity for small talk. It has felt like such a personal shift. There have been so many positives.
‘Thank you to the whole EE team for going above & beyond. Particularly our amazing makeup team. And to Alex Rouss for the original wig & Linda for the spot on cut. I’ve felt totally supported by you all. Thank you to all of the friends in my local community who’ve been there for me and my family at the drop of a hat (you know who you are).’
Wrapping up the caption, Heather said: ‘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. Life feels very different now and it’s wonderful. I will continue to cherish and be grateful for all I am blessed with. I feel very lucky. With love, Heather xxx’
Heather unveiled a sharp new ‘do in another Instagram clip with friend and hairstylist, Morgan Rhodes, last month. In the caption, she said: ‘After 6 months in a baseball cap today there was enough hair growth back to finally get some sort of a style. I haven’t had hair this short since my 20s!
Thanks to my wonderful friend and hair stylist @m0rganrhodes and thanks to @alfieandco.salon for the warmest of welcomes. Getting this haircut feels like such a big part of me piecing myself back together. Feeling thankful and blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful and supportive people at work and at home.’
Again, her post was filled with loving comments. Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter commented: ‘Beautiful. Love it. And you’, while Diane Parish, known to ‘Enders fans as Denise Fox added: ‘Yes cheekbones! Gorgeous’
Honey Mitchell actress Emma Barton said: ‘Love it.. you stunner!!!’, while Shona McGarty, who played Whitney Dean said ‘You are so stunning !
It really suits you! sending you so much love’
Heather was determined to carry on playing Eve while she battled her illness.
‘I said, “I need to come in” because at this point I don’t know what’s going to happen. And I want to finish this arc of the story,’ she said, speaking to Gaby Roslin on her podcast.
‘Not coming in for the next two weeks is not going to change anything, but at least let me put the full stop on a story that’s been playing out for nearly two and a half years.
‘If we get to the end of that and we see them get married and we see them successful, if beyond that it’s a mess, I can leave and feel like I’ve put a full stop on something.’
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