Coronation Street star Gray O’Brien reveals cancer battle

He played the infamous baddie businessman Tony Gordon

Tony Gordon

by Marianna Manson |
Updated on

Former Coronation Streetstar Gray O’Brien has revealed that he’s been battling tonsil cancer for the last three months, after being diagnosed during a routine GP appointment.

Gray, who played cobbles baddie Tony Gordon from 2007 to 2010, said that he’d been to visit his doctor with swollen glands in the summer.

Taking to Twitter to share the news that he’d now completed 30 rounds of radiotherapy over six weeks, Gray wrote, "When I received the diagnosis of tonsil cancer I was of course devastated - it's cancer."

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Gray O'Brien, Tony Gordon
Gray O'Brien as Tony Gordon ©ITV

He continued, "Even though I was told what to expect after the chemotherapy and what to expect after 30 rounds of radiotherapy I wasn't sure how my body would react, and now six weeks later I have been able to cope with it and I was able to ring the bell [signifying the end of treatment].

"This is only the treatment finished. I now have a long way to go with my recovery. I have been advised it will get worse before it gets better, and I have no reason to doubt this."

CHECK OUT: next week's Coronation Street spoilers - Michelle Connor and Robert Preston's wedding is CRASHED

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Coronation Street spoilers: Michelle Connor and Robert Preston's wedding is CRASHED slider

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Ahead of the wedding, Michelle convinces Robert that it would be a good idea to sign over half the Bistro to her before they tie the knot.

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When Carla finds Robert having second thoughts after agreeing to sign the papers, and persuasive Carla manages to talk him round and despite being skeptical, he eventually signs them.

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As the soon-to-be-married enjoy their pre-wedding celebrations at the bistro, they're interrupted by a heavily pregnant Vicky.

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A vengeful Vicky tells Robert that she's going to ruin him for every penny that he's got, leading Michelle to suggest that her name should be on the deed instead.

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Under Michelle's orders, Robert heads over to Vicky's house to let her know she's banned from the wedding. To explain his absence, Michelle says he's gone to help Tyler with something.

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At Vicky's house, her neighbour overhears a loud crash, before Robert leaves through the front door. Back at the church Robert assures Michelle that Vicky won't be interrupting.

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With the ceremony underway, Michelle prepares to expose the truth about him but as Robert reads out his own heartfelt vows, will she have a change of heart?

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As the vows are read and Robert and Michelle prepare to be pronounced man and wife but Vicky's son Tyler barges into the church.

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As Tyler demands to know what's happened to his mum, Michelle's heart is in her mouth as she remembers Robert telling her about Vicky.

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Later on, after Robert is called in for police questioning, he turns up at Tyler's door accusing him of reporting him to the police. A furious Tyler orders Robert to leave.

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Elsewhere, Evelyn grows suspicious of Jade when she remains elusive about her new job, despite Evelyn's tough questioning.

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And when she remains totally emotionless as she packs up and leaves Fiz at number 9 for the last time, Evelyn is certain she's up to something.

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Meanwhile, Sean unknowingly makes things awkward for Paul and Billy when he demands to know why Billy isn't putting up Christmas decorations this year.

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Forcing Paul into a confession, the factory workers are stunned when Paul explains that he was abused by Kel as a child and is preparing to give a statement.

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After he speaks to police, Paul is left disheartened when he tells Bernie, Billy and Chesney that his evidence felt flimsy and he's sure Kel will get off.

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Determined to avenge her son, Bernie visits the precinct and writes "paedo" under Kel's picture on the security noticeboard.

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When Kel spots Bernie's vandalism he's furious, and in the ensuing scuffle Chesney accidentally smashes Kel's head into a wall.

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As they're escorted off the premises, a downtrodden Paul tells Bernie she's probably jeopardised the case even further by assaulting Paul.

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Over lunch at the Bistro with Maria, Gary spots Sarah and Gary and immediately grows suspicious and distracted, leaving Maria hurt.

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When Gary clocks that his behavior made Maria think he still fancied Sarah, Gary turns up at the barber shop with flowers as an apology.

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But Gary's suspicions are not entirely unfounded, as Nick and Sarah have secretly agreed to meet up with Gary's former associate Derek.

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Having had a difficult time with the factory, Nick and Sarah agree to buy it back off Derek.

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Meanwhile, Seb and Emma are growing closer, but when Seb would rather meet friends in town than hang out with her, Emma is hurt.

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But it's all just a decoy, and when Seb presents Emma with tickets to an Iron Maiden tribute band – Bryan Maiden – Emma is over the moon.

Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien ©Getty

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He went on to say, "The accuracy of the medical advice I have received with regards to the treatment and how it's progressed has been spot-on so far.

"As long as I take it a day at a time as I have up until this point I am looking forward to coming through the other side."

Gray’s character Tony was one of the most Machiavellian the soap had ever seen, murdering his wife Carla Connor’s ex-brother-in-law Liam Connor when he learned of their affair, before embarking on a relationship with Liam’s widow, Maria.

He ever tried to kill Corrie stalwart Roy Cropper, before handing himself into police and eventually dying in the Underworld fire of 2010 (which he started).

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