Coronation Street character Kit Green, played by Jacob Roberts, has disclosed a stage three cancer diagnosis to his family, according to ITV and Metro. The storyline developed as the Winter family realized they may carry a familial BRCA gene mutation following the death of their estranged aunt, Celeste Butterfield, played by Frances Barber.
Kit Green Reveals Stage Three Diagnosis to Bernie Winter-Alahan
Kit kept his medical condition hidden after receiving a diagnosis earlier in the month following secret hospital appointments, as reported by Metro. Carrying a familial BRCA gene mutation involves inheriting a harmful change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes from a parent, which significantly raises lifetime cancer risks. Kit initially confided in Todd Grimshaw, played by Gareth Pierce, after Todd grew concerned about Kit’s sudden reliance on alcohol. Kit chose not to burden his family, particularly because his mother, Bernie Winter-Alahan, played by Jane Hazlegrove, was convinced they did not carry the gene.
Tensions boiled over during a hospital visit where Bernie awaited her own test results, accompanied by husband Dev Alahan, played by Jimmi Harkishin, and Kit. According to ITV, Bernie expressed certainty that her test would return negative, prompting Kit to lose his temper and storm out of the waiting room. When Bernie followed him and pressed him for an explanation, an overwhelmed Kit revealed that he already knew she carried the gene because he had been tested and diagnosed with stage three cancer.
Behind the Scenes of the Coronation Street BRCA Storyline
Actress Jane Hazlegrove drew on personal experience for the plot. Speaking to Metro, Hazlegrove noted that she had personal familiarity with male breast cancer because someone in her life dealt with it years ago. She added that she was thrilled the soap opera was starting the conversation because the topic is rarely discussed. Hazlegrove also shared that her mother was tested for the BRCA2 gene while living in London after her first cousins became very ill. While her mother did not test positive, friends of the actress discovered they carried the mutation and underwent elective surgeries.
Following the emotional confession at home, Bernie broke down in Dev’s arms out of fear of losing another son, following the death of her son Paul. Kit quickly left the house after receiving a kiss on the cheek from Bernie, raising questions about whether the family will band together to support him or if he will continue pushing them away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a familial BRCA gene mutation?
Inheriting a harmful change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes from a parent significantly raises a person’s lifetime risk of developing certain cancers.
Who plays Kit Green in Coronation Street?
Kit Green is played by actor Jacob Roberts on the ITV soap opera.
Why did Kit Green keep his cancer diagnosis a secret?
Kit initially confided only in Todd Grimshaw because he did not want to burden his family, especially while his mother Bernie was confident the family was clear of the gene mutation.
How can I watch Coronation Street?
Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30 PM on ITV1 and can be streamed starting at 7:00 AM on ITVX.