DEFIANT I’m A Celeb star Beverley Callard has hit back after she was shamed by fans for working while fighting cancer.

The much-loved soap star, 68, revealed at the beginning of the year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Beverley Callard has hit back after she was shamed by fans for working while fighting cancerCredit: TikTok/@beverleycallardreal
 

Beverley Callard at the 'I'm A Celebrity... South Africa' TV show photocall.
Beverley returned to work to promote I’m A Celebrity… South AfricaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
 

Beverley Callard, in a red vest and red pants, sits on a stone wall surrounded by plants.
The star will be back on the box in April with the I’m A Celeb spin-off showCredit: PA
But the star has returned to work to promote I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, which had its glitzy launch last week.

The ITV spin-off show, which also stars Mo Farah, Harry Redknapp and Ashley Roberts, was filmed last year.

But Bev recently headed to London to promote the launch of the show, which starts next month.

Taking to TikTok, the Coronation Street legend revealed she had felt “wiped” but “had enjoyed” promoting the show.

Addressing fans, Bev said: “I thought I’d give you an update.

“I’ve not posted for a couple of days because to be honest, I was completely wiped out.

“I was at work last week, as you know, in London, doing the launch for I’m a Celebrity, and it was great, but I was wiped out afterwards.”

But in the comments section, a fan appeared to shame Bev for returning to work so soon after battling cancer and said: “Surely you shouldn’t be working so soon?”

However, hitting back, the actress defended herself and wrote: “I can’t not do anything, it’s good to keep busy.”

It comes just a few weeks after Beverley had her lymph nodes removed as a precaution to stop her cancer spreading, which was not long after getting her diagnosis.

But speaking at Ant and Dec’s glitzy launch event at London’s Ham Yard Hotel last Monday, she declared: “F*** cancer!”

She added: “We go from one extreme to another in my job. I’m feeling more nervous now we’re here, but I’m going to be very brave.”

Beverley first revealed her shocking health news in January on Patrick Kielty’s Late Late Show in Ireland, and said: “My head was a bit mashed for the first few days.

“It’s very early stages and, along with thousands of other women, I need an operation and some radiotherapy.”

Along with taking part in I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, the actress is also enjoying starring in the Irish soap Fair City.

The Sun recently revealed how she banks €4,000 a week for the role — just shy of long-serving star Tony Tormey’s €4,500 — and it has helped her start a new life in Dublin.

A source said: “Bev feels like she is freeing herself from the shackles of the past few years.

“It’s been tough, financially and emotionally, but she’s come out fighting.

Beverley Callard as her character in Fair City, standing next to a sign that says "Welcome to Carrigstown".
Bev has got a new job on the Irish soap, Fair CityCredit: Supplied
“She’s absolutely loving Dublin. She’s picked up the keys to her new place and feels like it’s the start of a whole new chapter.

“She keeps saying how warm everyone has been and how welcome she’s felt.

“The scripts have really excited her, too. She loves her character and thinks the show has fire, humour and depth. It’s given her a real creative buzz again.”

The long-running soap, which first aired in 1989, follows the day-to-day lives of families in the fictional Dublin suburb of Carrigstown.

Bev plays Lily, a quirky, sharp and unpredictable beautician who previously worked on cruise ships.

But the actress will always be best known for playing the no-nonsense Liz McDonald in Corrie.

Bev starred on the soap on and off for over 30 years.

Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard) from 'Coronation Street' behind a bar.
Bev is best known for playing Liz McDonald on CorrieCredit: ITV