TV legend's cancer battle

Ex 'Corrie' and 'Heartbeat' actor Geoffrey Hughes collapsed...

10:51 05 August 2010

Former 'Coronation Street' star Geoffrey Hughes is reportedly getting better after a recent battle with cancer.

The actor could be allowed home from hospital at the end of this week after receiving intensive treatment.

The 66-year-old, who found fame playing lovable rogues such as Eddie Yeats in the ITV soap, Twiggy in 'The Royle Family', Vernon Scripps in 'Heartbeat' and Onslow in 'Keeping Up Appearances', collapsed at home last Friday, prompting the star to be admitted to hospital for another bout of radiotherapy.

A spokesperson for the actor said: "Geoffrey is feeling much better. He's hoping to be out of hospital at the end of the week."

Hughes' co-stars from 'The Royle Family' and 'Keeping Up Appearances' have paid tribute to the ill star. Caroline Aherne, who stars opposite Hughes in 'The Royle Family', said: "Geoffrey is a fighter. He has beaten this cancer before and I know he will beat it again. I am thinking about Geoffrey at this very difficult time.

"He is a warm and talented man and we are all looking forward to working with him again on the 'Royle Family Christmas Special'."

Judy Cornwell, who played Daisy, the wife of Hughes' character Onslow in 'Keeping Up Appearances', said: "I was sorry to hear the cancer has returned. I hope he can be as brave fighting it this time as he was when it was first diagnosed."