Former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian has reveals her body is ‘under construction’ as she opened up about her recovery after battling cancer.

The actress, 42, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer last year and underwent gruelling chemotherapy and had a mastectomy.

In March of this year, however, Ali delighted fans by revealing she was officially cancer-free in a health update.

She discovered she had cancer after finding a lump, which she thought was a blocked milk duct while she was feeding her daughter. 

Now, the actress has opened up on her recovery, admitting her body is ‘under construction’ as she weighs up undergoing reconstruction surgery.

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Former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian, 42, has revealed her body is ‘under construction’ as she opened up on her recovery after battling cancer

The actress was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer last year and underwent grueling chemotherapy and had a mastectomy 

The actress has opened up on her recovery, admitting her body is ‘under construction’ as she weighs up undergoing reconstruction surgery 

Speaking to Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Ali said: ‘I couldn’t have a reconstruction at the time because we always knew I’d have to have radiotherapy. At some point there’ll be some kind of something. 

‘Initially I was like 100 per cent it’s happening. But now, I want to have the conversations and talk through what the options are, but I’m not actually married to any of them at the moment.’

Ali is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007 and also competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.

Giovanna, 40, asked Ali how she handled her recovery so far, which she answered: ‘In some ways better than I would have imagined actually, even the sort of gearing up for a mastectomy.

‘I’ve got a really good prosthetic that makes a big difference. It means in clothes I feel normal. It’s bright pink. It makes me happy.

‘It’s just very different to the lump of silicone that you get handed in the hospital, which is a hell of a moment.

‘This is a lot lighter and easy to wear. I quite like that it doesn’t look like a chicken fillet, like a pretend boob. 

‘It’s something that I could show the kids as well because it’s so visually appealing. 

Ali, pictured with her husband David, discovered she had cancer after finding a lump, which she thought was a blocked milk duct while she was feeding her daughter

Ali is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007 and also competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009

‘It was one of those little bridging things. I just keep saying to myself really “I’m still under construction, I’ve been through a lot, I’m healing at the moment”.’

As Ali continues her recovery, she revealed she can now focus on addressing other health issues, such as a large hernia from the birth of her children.

The proud mum has two daughters – Isla, five, and two-year-old Isabella with her husband David O’Mahony. 

‘I’ve got a big old hernia from my babies as well,’ she said.

‘Because of all of this I haven’t been able to have that done, and actually I’m more keen to get that done than anything else because that is harder to hide.

‘It’s like a tennis ball. I’ve had it for five years, and it needs to go now.’

In April Ali announced the tragic death of her mother to the world, following her pᴀssing in 2023 before she was diagnosed with cancer

Read More Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian, 43, announces her mother’s death in tragic post after cancer battle

Meanwhile, in April Ali announced the tragic death of her mother to the world, following her pᴀssing in 2023 before she was diagnosed with cancer.

In an emotional tribute on social media, she said she was only grieving privately now. 

She penned: ‘I wrote this on Mother’s Day but didn’t end up posting, but here goes…. TW grief. We lost our beautiful Mum in the autumn of ‘23, only a few months before my diagnosis.

‘A sudden death after a short terrible illness. Impossible to make sense of.

‘Grief, I attempted to put on hold whilst I managed a grueling treatment regime now comes in waves, sometimes crashing, sometimes tidal, rarely gentle… but I try to go gently with myself as I navigate life after cancer and life without you. 

‘I love you Mum, always and forever. Days like today are so complicated… letting in all the love from my little people and loving them back with all my might whilst the child within me longs for your arms wrapped тιԍнт around me.

‘I hope you are watching over us Mum and I hope we are making you proud xxxxx’.