Gray O’Brien: Former Coronation Street star Tony Gordon breaks silence on cancer battle

Gray O’Brien, 51, starred as Tony Gordon on the ITV soap Coronation Street from 2007 until he exited the show three years later. The actor took to Twitter and shared his delight over completing his treatment by ringing a bell in the hospital in a video clip he shared yesterday.

In view of his 1,392 followers, the soap star wrote: “About three months ago, a trip to the doctor with swollen glands led to stage four tonsil cancer. Today marks the end of my treatment & I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who has supported me along the way. @Beatson_Charity @CRUK_BI #CancerAwareness #tonsilcancer #staystrong.”

In the short video clip, Gray seemingly appeared in high spirits as he rang the end of treatment bell.

According to the MailOnline, the bell was created in April 2014 to mark a treatment milestone.

Fans flocked to comment on the post, with many praising the actor and sending their well wishes.

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One person said: “So sorry to hear you’ve been going through this. Great to see you ring the bell. Wishing you all the very best!”

Another person commented: “Great to see that smile again! Sending love from all of us.”

While a third person added: “Wow! So pleased for you! I hope you are feeling as well as you look!!! Good luck and God Bless.”

Cancer of the tonsil develops in part of the throat just behind the mouth.

Symptoms of the disease include a persistent sore throat, one tonsil becoming bigger than the other and difficulty swallowinG.

This form of cancer typically occurs in those in their 40s and 50s, according to Cancer Research UK.

Fans of Coronation Street will remember Gary as one of the most memorable villains on the soap.

Viewers may recall he was involved with both Carla Connor (played by Alison King) and Maria Connor (played by Samia Longchambon) and later murdered his love tribal Liam after he discovered he was in love with Carla.

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His character Tony ended up taking Carla hostage at gunpoint in the factory before it went up in flames.

A fight ensued and Carla was able to escape but Tony lost his life in a catastrophic explosion which destroyed the factory.

Gray previously admitted his role on the popular soap was a “game-changer” for his career.

Speaking to The Herald in 2017, he said: “You know how big that character was. It was absolutely bonkers.

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The Glasgow native admitted he struggled to land other roles after his acting on the cobbles.

He added: “For the first six months I didn’t even think about work because I knew the phone wasn’t going to ring.

“Then the next six months it didn’t ring either and going into the second year it still wasn’t ringing. When it gets to five and six years you are thinking, ‘What is going on?’

“People feel they can’t touch you because you are just too well known as that character.”

Gray is also known for starring as Richard McCaig in BBC drama Casualty in the late 90s. 

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