Liam Fox appeared in great spirits as he arrived at Sheffield’s theatre on Saturday for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang rehearsals, just days after revealing his secret battle with cancer. 

The former Emmerdale actor, 54, recently shared that he underwent carcinoma removal surgery last month after ‘waiting since 2017’. 

And it seems the star is eager to return to doing what he loves most, as he was seen arriving at the theatre with his co-star by his side. 

Liam bundled up for the outing in a black padded coat, laughing with his co-star as they strolled down the street. He paired the coat with black jeans and chunky grey trainers. 

He completed the look with a New York Yankees stone baseball cap and was seen carrying an M&S food shopping bag and a cup of coffee. 

Liam’s outing comes just after revealing that he had waited eight years for a cancer diagnosis, as he shared details of his treatment journey this week. 

Liam Fox appeared in great spirits as he arrived at Sheffield’s theatre on Saturday for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang rehearsals, just days after revealing his secret battle with cancer

The former Emmerdale actor, 54, recently shared that he underwent carcinoma removal surgery last month after ‘waiting since 2017’

After undergoing surgery last month, Liam has kept fans updated on his carcinoma removal in a series of Instagram posts. 

Uploading a pH๏τo with a dressing on his forehead, he wrote: ‘Been waiting ages to have a basal cell carcinoma removed.’

‘Finally sorted at the fabulous plastic surgery dept at St Helens Hospital… what an absolutely superb fun friendly team. Keep out the sun when we get it folks.’

In a follow-up update, Liam added: ‘Just changing the dressing after my carcinoma removal and thought I’d post the picture… nice work from St Helens NHS England but another reminder to cover up…’ 

He continued: ‘I’ve been using plenty of sun screen for decades, this could likely be damage from my teens when I didn’t think about the dangers. At least I’m perfect for gangster castings now.’

Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Liam explained: ‘I’ve been lucky. If this had been a ‘melanoma’ rather than a ‘carcinoma’ it could kill you.’ 

He added: ‘None of us want to be that person that nags the NHS, we know they’re busy we know they’re overworked, but when you know in yourself that something’s not right, you’ve got keep pushing.’

Liam shared that he first visited the doctor back in 2017, but was told: ‘They said “Oh no, it’s just flakey skin”| it’s fine, it’s nothing to worry about. A few weeks later I went back to them again because it was still there, I just wasn’t happy with what they’d told me, it just didn’t feel right.’

And it seems the star is eager to return to doing what he loves most, as he was seen arriving at the theatre with his co-star by his side

Liam bundled up for the outing in a black padded coat, laughing with his co-star as they strolled down the street. He paired the coat with black jeans and chunky grey trainers

He completed the look with a New York Yankees stone baseball cap and was seen carrying an M&S food shopping bag and a cup of coffee

Liam’s outing comes just after revealing that he had waited eight years for a cancer diagnosis, as he shared details of his treatment journey this week 

Read More Emmerdale actor Liam Fox reveals secret cancer battle after waiting eight years for treatment

Liam was first diagnosed with Solar Keratosis, but the issue persisted, and in January 2024, he was finally told he had carcinoma.

Precancerous squamous cell carcinoma can lead to actinic keratosis, a skin disorder that causes rough, scaly patches, which may bleed or become ulcerous. 

Those with a history of heavy sun exposure are at higher risk for this type of skin cancer. 

With every bad, blistering sunburn, the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma increases.

However, when treated early, squamous cell carcinoma is often curable, with a survival rate as high as 98 percent. 

A sore that bleeds may indicate basal cell carcinoma, another type of non-melanoma skin cancer. 

While basal cell carcinoma also has a high survival rate, it should be treated aggressively once detected. 

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer overall, and the most common type of skin cancer specifically. 

Melanoma, while only accounting for one-percent of skin cancer cases, is one of the most dangerous types, responsible for four out of five skin cancer deaths. 

WHAT IS BASAL CELL CARCINOMA?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Non-melanoma means it does not involve skin pigment cells.  

BCC often appears as scabs that bleed

BCC makes up more than 80 per cent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK and US.

About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the US and around 100,000 in the UK.

It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds. 

BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears.

The following people are most at risk:

People with fair skin or hairThose who work outdoorsPeople who use sunbedsThose with a personal history of the condition

BCC is usually painless. Early symptoms often only include a scab that bleeds occasionally and does not heal.

Some appear as flat, red, scaly marks or have a pearl-like rim. The latter can then erode into a ulcer.

Others are lumpy with shiny nodules crossed by blood vessels.

Most BCCs can be cured, however, treatment is complex if they are left for a long time. 

Treatment usually involves removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin.

Source: British Skin Foundation and NHS Choices