A BURY actress has been named as an official patron of Prevent Breast Cancer.

Victoria Ekanoye, best known for playing Angie Appleton in Coronation Street, left the cobbles last year. She has since starred alongside Liz Hurley in The Royals as Rachel, and most recently appeared on The X Factor: Celebrity.

The 37-year-old has been announced as the newest celebrity patron of Prevent Breast Cancer.

The cause is particularly close to Victoria’s heart, after her mother, Candy, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, aged 41. Candy’s sister was also diagnosed with the disease six months later. A second sister died in 2007 after developing cervical cancer. In 2017, Candy’s aunt and mother were diagnosed with lung cancer and both died of the disease lung cancer.

Victoria said: “Breast cancer has sadly affected my own family quite heavily and it lights a fire in my tummy at the thought of being part of a team that can help prevent such a devastating disease for men and women alike. It’s an honour and a privilege to become a patron and I can’t wait to help raise funds and awareness for this incredible charity.”

Breast cancer is the biggest cause of death in women aged 35-49. With her own mum being diagnosed with the disease in her early forties, Victoria is now working alongside Prevent Breast Cancer to raise awareness and encourage younger women to check themselves regularly for lumps or any other unusual symptoms in their breasts.

Victoria and Candy were also involved with the charity’s BreastFest campaign, a month-long campaign that ran in October 2019, aiming to make Manchester the most breast aware city in the UK.

Nikki Barraclough, executive director of Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “Victoria is a wonderful patron to have on board, especially because she has such a personal connection to the charity and the work that we do.

"Our goal is that one day no one will have to go through what Victoria and Candy have been through, and we couldn’t do it without people like them who are so passionate about the cause and helping us to raise awareness.

“We’ve got some big plans in the pipeline for 2020 and are excited to work alongside Victoria – she’s a perfect fit for Prevent Breast Cancer.”

The charity is working with patients, researchers and scientists to discover how to prevent breast cancer.