Emmerdale’s Dawn and Billy’s world ‘turned upside down’ after baby’s cancer diagnosis
Emmerdale's Billy and Dawn will be left devastated when they receive the news that their young baby, Evan, has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Billy and Dawn Fletcher are set for a world of heartache as their baby boy is diagnosed with leukaemia in distressing Emmerdale scenes.
The couple, played by Olivia Bromley and Jay Kontzle, will face every parent’s worst fear when they learn that their young son, Evan, has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. This devastating news will send shockwaves through their family, causing unimaginable turmoil.
The storyline has been developed with the assistance of Leukaemia Care, a charity that has worked closely with the Emmerdale team to ensure an accurate and authentic portrayal of the situation.
Colin Dyer, CEO at Leukaemia Care, remarked: “Every year 10,000 people are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK. A leukaemia diagnosis can affect not just the patient, but also their loved ones such as friends and family. The Baby Evan storyline being featured on Emmerdale, is helping to deliver a very important message not just about the awareness of the symptoms and the condition, but about how it affects the family and those around them.”
Actress Olivia added:. This is an incredibly challenging and heartbreaking story, but such an important story for Emmerdale to tell. I’ve learnt so much since working with Leukaemia Care and speaking to parents whose children have been diagnosed, and we want to not only raise awareness but to do justice to the experience of families who are blindsided by a diagnosis like this.
“For Dawn and Billy, like many parents, Evan’s diagnosis turns their world upside down so unexpectedly. It’s been inspiring to hear the stories of strength, resilience and also to hear of the incredible NHS staff who do such invaluable work when parents’ are at their lowest, so I hope we can also reflect this as we approach this storyline.”
Emmerdale Producer, Laura Shaw, said: “Evan’s leukaemia diagnosis will come abruptly and without warning for Dawn and Billy, like it does for many parents who find themselves facing this devastating situation. Working closely with Leukaemia Care, it’s vital to us that we portray this story as accurately and sensitively as possible and do justice to those faced with a diagnosis like this and highlight the severe impact a long term illness like this can have on families lives.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm