BREAKING NEWS: ITV Coronation Street Actress Chokes Up While Opening Up About Personal Health Battle
Coronation Street icon Sue Cleaver described every day as running a 'mental marathon' as she addressed a health condition that she has battled against for almost three decades
Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver has opened up about her ongoing struggle with Type 2 diabetes. The actress was diagnosed with the health condition nearly three decades ago and since then has been on what she describes as a “mental marathon, every single day” to manage it.
Sue Cleaver has opened up about her health battle (Image: ITV)
The 61 year old stalwart of the Cobbles, who has been part of the show since 2000, has recently opted to use a Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor. This device allows her to keep track of her blood sugar levels without needing to perform the daily finger prick test.
In conversation with The Mirror, Sue shared: “I can’t explain the mental fatigue you get, it’s like an app running in the background of your brain, a constant noise of ‘What’s my sugar? Did I take my meds? What can I eat to avoid a spike?'”.
Discussing the challenge of constant vigilance over diet and medication, she said, “It’s like constant brain drain from making decisions, and the stress affects people because, unlike a diet, diabetes management is lifelong and that decision fatigue manifests in skipped medications and poor food choices. It’s not about being lazy, people get totally overwhelmed and I really relate to that.”
Sue has found that the continuous glucose monitoring system vastly simplifies her life by providing frequent, precise blood sugar readings, eliminating the need to incessantly question her dietary choices or physical activity level, reports Surrey Live.
The actress, well-known for her role as a panelist on Loose Women, opened up about the challenges of managing her diabetes while working in live television and theatrical performances. She disclosed that concerns about suffering a hypoglycemic event, wherein her blood sugar levels could fall dangerously low, often preoccupied her thoughts during shows.
She elaborated on the matter, saying: “I’d have to get out my blood test kit and check I was going to be able to get through the first half without having to top up. That noise is dialled down now. I can get on with what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Sue also addressed another issue that has been an unwanted companion along her career path due to diabetes – dealing with fluctuating eating habits and activity levels, which invariably led to media focus on her weight or so-called ‘body transformations’.
She commented on the topic, stating: “I tend to refuse to get involved in those conversations because I don’t like anybody to look to me for advice. The reality is I was very ill a few years ago, it’s had huge ramifications on my body and I’ve made huge changes in my life.”
She shared insights into her lifestyle adjustments, including giving up alcohol for two years, adopting a regular gym routine, and changing her perspective towards health and fitness. Sue mentioned: “I gave up drinking for two years, I try to go to the gym every day during the week, I’ve changed how I view the world. I always thought I hated the gym – then I realised that was just a thought. I don’t hate the gym, I just thought I did.”
Marking the end of her stint as Eileen on Coronation Street on June 6, Sue expressed a newfound approach to life, anchored in “embracing change and living fearlessly”.
Sue has expressed a desire to embark on a journey of self-discovery, stating that now is the time when “society wants you to just go away quietly”. She elaborated: “But this is the period, for a lot of women who have put themselves second – because they’ve brought up families, had mortgages, etcetera – when we hit an age and think, ‘What now? Who am I?'”.
She reflected on her recent endeavours, saying, “Everything I’ve done in the last year has been about reinvention and discovery. I’d like to say I’m one of life’s learners, and I never stop learning. I’m just getting really interested in me, and challenging all the beliefs I had about myself.”
Sue is set to make a comeback to the stage in a new role with Theatr Clwyd and Bolton Octagon’s joint production of Snake In The Grass. She referred to this opportunity as a “full-circle moment”, recalling how she began her acting career at Bolton’s Octagon.
Type 2 diabetes is a prevalent condition where the body either can’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it does produce isn’t effective. Insulin is crucial for helping the body utilise blood glucose for energy.