Thanks to the Marie Curie Hospice, Clive could die with dignity
Clive Hornby was a household name on Emmerdale. His friend Elizabeth Estensen reveals how Marie Curie helped with his private battle with cancer.
Known to
millions as flat cap-wearing Jack Sugden for almost 30 years, Clive
Hornby, 63, was the longest serving cast member in Emmerdale. He
really was the patriarch of the show. But to me, playing his
on-screen wife and Woolpack landlady Diane, he was a dear friend as
well as a colleague.
We'd actually known each other for years, first meeting as young actors back in 1972. So later, when I joined Emmerdale, we just picked up the threads. If you get on with someone you just do. Easy to work with and with a dry sense of humour, he had tremendous strength of character. However, despite his fame on one of Britain's most popular soaps, he was also a very private man. So, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he managed to keep it well hidden until he finally passed away on 3 July 2008.
I have tremendous respect for how he dealt with it, as I don't like to court publicity either. Although I have been acting for many years now, from The Liver Birds to Coronation Street, I like living my own life too. Working on a soap is very different from anything else - people really feel as if they know you. But Clive didn't want any publicity about his illness at all. He said he would rather people thought he was being anti-social and crotchety than have them be sympathetic all the time.
It's only now, two years since he died, that I feel able to
talk about it, with the blessing of his family. I know he would be
happy to be raising awareness of Marie Curie. While he was ill he
just wanted to remain the man he was - which I think he did.
Ultimately, that came down to the staff at the Marie Curie Hospice
in Bradford, where Clive spent his last few months. By that time,
he was in need of constant help and his local GP put him in touch
with Marie Curie. He first went in for a couple of months - and
they completely turned him round. With their help he was able to go
home for a couple of weeks, which he really wanted to do.
When he went back in I knew he was very ill so used to visit him
regularly after work. The staff were fantastic and made it all seem
so easy. But the most important thing, I used to think, was that
although tears were shed it all felt so private. The other thing I
remember was the laughter. Yes, there is a terrible underpinning
sadness that someone is coming to the end of their life. But, as
much as you can be comfortable at a time like that, I really think
he was.
It sounds strange but I used to look forward to going. At the Marie
Curie Hospice in Bradford there was a kind of peacefulness. The
nurses at the hospice were so lovely - they are miraculous really.
They really understand that people's needs are all
different.
Before Clive's illness I had heard of Marie Curie and seen their famous yellow daffodils. But since he died I do as much as I can to raise awareness.
My Emmerdale character, Diane Sugden, had colon cancer in 2004, and I knew then there was a responsibility to treat it seriously. At the time, I met somebody who had suffered from the disease and really learnt about it. I got a lot of letters and you realise just how many people are going through things like this. Seeing Clive go through it at close quarters years later brought it all home to me again.
The time has passed so quickly since he passed away but, thanks to the Marie Curie Hospice, I will always remember how he dealt with it with such dignity.
Post Your Comment
You must be logged in to submit a comment.
If you are not yet a Candis member and want to find out more about the benefits of joining Candis Magazine...
We're confident that our travel insurance will provide you with peace of mind, allowing you the freedom to sit back, relax and get the most out of your holiday. Whether you're off on a short break or venturing further afield, our policies will keep you covered. Save up to £22.58 with Candis Travel Insurance More
Keep up to date with the latest news, offers and exclusive competitions available to E-news subscribers. Sign Up
Candis Club has donated over £53 million to health charities and community groups over the years. To find our more about the work done... More
Comments:
There are currently no comments for this article, be the first by using the box below.