Ali Bastian revealed her mother has died while she was battling cancer.

The Hollyoaks star, 43, who recently revealed that she is ‘free from cancer’ after having a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, shared her tragic loss in an emotional post on Tuesday.

Alongside a snap showing the mother and daughter together at her wedding, Ali revealed her ‘beautiful’ mum died in 2023 just before Ali was diagnosed with cancer – but she has been grieving privately until 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. 

Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian, 43, announced her mother’s death in a tragic Instagram post on Tuesday following her own cancer battle 

The Hollyoaks star, 43, recently revealed that she is ‘free from cancer’ after having a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, has now bravely shared the tragic loss in an emotional post

‘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’.

Fans took to the comments to say they ‘admire’ Ali for her ‘strength and courage’ while others related to losing a parent. 

‘I admire your great strength and courage ali. Your mums spirit is here with you and your family. Sending love always;

‘Ali this is so terribly sad, I’m sure your mum is watching over you and being so proud. You come so far with your treatment , be proud of yourself, you’ve done amazingly. Sending love to you;

‘Sending you so much love and hugs. I too lost my mum so suddenly in autumn 2023, the devastating effect it has and the deep deep sadness, plus you going though everything that you have she will be so proud of you; 

‘Oh Ali I’m so sorry you are having to go through so much. I lost my mum to cancer many years ago but I still have a huge part of me missing. You are so strong and amazing and I know she will be watching over you xxx’.

Ali, who is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap from 2001 to 2007, was told by doctors in June last year that she had stage two breast cancer.

Fans took to the comments to say they ‘admire’ Ali for her ‘strength and courage’ while others related to losing a parent

Ali revealed that she is now cancer free in a huge health update shared last month 

The star, who is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap from 2001 to 2007, was told by doctors in June last year that she had stage two breast cancer

In December, she told how she had just finished five months of chemotherapy – describing the process as ‘major’. She also had a mastectomy. 

And last month she shared a new Instagram post saying that she was cancer-free and ‘couldn’t believe it’. 

She wrote in the caption: ‘I wanted to update you all. I’m on to my final week of radio therapy which should mark the end my active treatment – I hope and pray for good.

‘I had my mastectomy in January which was thankfully a success and has healed really well, it proved that my chemo had worked. As I sit here right now, I’m free from Cancer. I can’t even believe it.

‘I have the most incredible team at CUH and I’m so grateful for every single one of them. The nurses who have given me compᴀssion, time and space to share and talk about my experience of a very challenging treatment pathway… One that although we thank god exists, is not only a lot for the body to process but an awful lot to process mentally and emotionally.’

The actress continued: ‘My consultants – golly, to be surrounded by such excellence. We used to joke on TV sets when we all started to take ourselves a bit too seriously ‘come on guys, we’re not curing cancer here.’ 

‘Well these incredible men and women dedicate their lives to doing just that, at least that is what they hope for, for all of us. I hope one day their dreams are realised for everyone touched by this.

‘Another shout out for Stef in the Dunmanway who makes tea for all the chemo patients… thank you for taking time to know us as we pᴀss through the clinic week after week. You make an incredible difference to a lonely journey, as do all the onc nurses who are not only incredible but the hand holds, the tears, the laughs and the kindness will never be forgotten.’ 

Ali continued, saying that it feels ‘unreal’ to have been told she’s cancer free after the ‘shock diagnosis.’

Last month, she shared a new Instagram post saying that she was cancer-free and ‘couldn’t believe it’

Ali married actor and producer for Big Finish Productions, David O’Mahony, in February 2019 

Read More Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian breaks her silence after revealing her stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis

She explained: ‘To be coming out of the other side of this feels unreal, after the shock of a diagnosis it’s hard to let in the light and believe that it might just be ok. The road back to my life won’t be a linear one… and I will share with you as always, as much of my truth of this experience as I can. 

‘I am so, so grateful for all of your support. People with cancer, experiencing cancer treatment need love. Full stop. Unconditional, arms around you love and support. I’ve really felt that from you all, also in my day to day life… from the most unexpected of places. When it’s dark, look for stars.’

In December Ali marked the end of five months of chemotherapy treatment amid her breast cancer battle.

Updating fans, Ali revealed that she had completed five months of chemo – describing the process as ‘major’.

She was flooded with messages of support from fans, co-stars and celebrity pals alike, as she said their kindness ‘gets her through’. 

Sharing a sweet video of her and husband David O’Mahony, Ali said: ‘I got to ring (the tiny little bell I stole from my kid’s music box as they don’t do the [bell] thing here in Ireland) after five months of chemotherapy. I’m still halfway through this last cycle, so much still to process on every level. 

‘Chemo is major. The oncology nursing team at the Dunmanway CUH are INCREDIBLE, I said to them as I left… it’s not that I never want to see them again because I love them all so much, I just hope the next time I do we all have a glᴀss of Prosecco in our hands raising money and awareness for all their incredible work.

‘For anyone going through this, you think the end will never come and then through the fog… the goal posts appear. You are not alone.’

She added: ‘Thank you all so, so much. I read every kind word of support and it honestly gets me through xxxxxxx ♥️♥️♥️♥️.’

Messages of support flooded in from Ali’s celebrity pals, as Lizzie Cundy said: ‘Stay positive and keep strong my beautiful friend . You are amazing ❤️❤️,’;

‘You are AMAZING ❤️,’ said Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas, while fellow soap co-star Gemma Merna said: ‘You are amazing Ali ❤️.’

Ashley James said: ‘Thinking of you Ali ❤️❤️❤️,’ with Anna Williamson adding: ‘You’re absolutely amazing so much love ❤️.’

‘Sending love xxxxxxx ❤️❤️❤️,’ said Helen Skelton, with Giovanna Fletcher adding: ‘Sending you huge amounts of love!! Xxx.’

Hollyoaks alum Danny Mac shared love hearts, with Dermot O’Leary also sending support. 

The Strictly pros also turned out, with Karen Hauer saying ‘❤️❤️❤️Sending love ❤️❤️❤️’ and Janette Manrara adding: ‘Keep going! Sending you all the love.’

Meanwhile Ola Jordan said: ‘Sending you love Ali ❤️,’ and Ian Watkins saying ‘Huge hugs xxxx.’

‘Jesus I had no idea,’ said presenter Kelle Bryan. ‘Keep fighting warrior, you got this ❤️sending all my love and prayers.’

Last year, Ali was rushed to hospital amid her cancer treatment. 

Sharing an update to her Instagram Story, she posed for a selfie and told her followers she was getting some much needed rest. 

Ali wrapped up warm in a knitted hat and a padded coat a walk through the countryside. 

Ali is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap from 2001 to 2007 

She captioned the post: ‘Thank you so much to all at Cork University Hospital A&E for taking care of me this weekend. Back home now getting some fresh air and some rest.’ 

Ali recently opened up about losing her hair in a candid interview. 

She admitted she feared she would ‘lose her idenтιтy’ along with her hair after shaving her head.

She told The Sun’s Fabulous magazine: ‘I trot around with a bald head all the time at home. But I’d had this fear that becoming bald from chemo was me ‘becoming’ a cancer patient, and that was all anyone would see.

‘I thought it would be like losing my idenтιтy.’

But Ali revealed the first time she took her wig off, it only felt like a big deal for ‘a split second’. 

She added: ‘Then it felt all right, and then it just felt normal. I’m H๏τ and my bald head needs some air!’

If something in your body doesn’t feel right, contact your GP practice. To rule out cancer, they may refer you for further tests. It’s probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable and can save lives. Whatever the result, your NHS is here for you.​

For more information on cancer signs and symptoms, go to nhs.uk/cancersymptoms.