A SOAP star who hails from Denton is bringing his running shoes out of retirement to take on the London Marathon in his wife’s memory.
Tony Audenshaw will be one of more than 700 people running at the April 27 event, in aid of the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK.
The actor, who plays Bob Hope in the ITV soap Emmerdale, last participated in the gruelling challenge in the capital in 2015. It was later that year that his wife Ruth was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
She died from the disease in 2017 at the age of 43, so the run will be deeply personal to Tony, who wants to help the charity develop the first-ever early detection test, which could save thousands of lives.
More than half of people die within just three months of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which is the deadliest common cancer and surgery is the only potentially curative treatment.
Currently, no screening programmes or early detection tests exist to help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer, and its vague symptoms – such as back pain, unexpected weight loss and indigestion – are also common to many less serious conditions.
As a result, 80 per cent of people are not diagnosed until their cancer is at an advanced stage, meaning it is too late for them to have life-saving surgery. By 2027, pancreatic cancer is projected to overtake breast cancer and become the fourth biggest cancer killer in the UK.
Pancreatic Cancer UK’s team of specialist nurses who staff the charity’s Support Line were there for Ruth and Tony throughout her journey, providing support and information. Ever since, Tony has been a passionate advocate and fundraiser for the charity.
Tony, 60, said: “How we wish there’d have been an early detection test 10 years ago. This innovation looks like it will, at last, bring a sea change in the outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
“A keen runner herself, Ruth would have been thrilled to know that London Marathon had chosen Pancreatic Cancer UK as its 2025 charity partner at this pivotal time. We all miss her like mad, but it’s a comfort to think that her story is helping to drive this change.”
People can support Tony in his fundraising efforts by visiting https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/tony-audenshaw