Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian issues a major health update amid her breast cancer battle as she says 'Chemo is major'

Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian has marked the end of  five months of chemotherapy treatment amid her breast cancer battle, she has revealed. 

The actress, 42, who is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap from 2001 to 2007, was told by doctors in June that she had stage two breast cancer.

Updating fans on Tuesday, 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 glass 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 Manara 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 month, 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. 

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. 

The actress, who is currently being treated with chemotherapy, will undergo a mastectomy and radiotherapy and shared the emotional moment she shaved her hair off.

Now, Ali has admitted she feared she would 'lose her identity' 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 identity.'

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 hot and my bald head needs some air!'