Viewers of ITV drama Cold Feet were left brushing tears from their eyes as Jenny Gifford was diagnosed with cancer.
With Fay Ripley’s character facing a pregnancy scare in the previous episode, she returned to the doctors only to be told her symptoms pointed towards cancer.
But despite breaking down in a car about the diagnosis alongside another patient, Jenny kept her devastating news a secret from friends and family.
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Those watching at home praised Ripley’s performance in the scene – even if it left them reaching for the tissues.
What an immensely powerful scene.
"We don't have to talk – we can just sit for while".
Beautiful @ITV #thebigC #emotional #ColdFeet pic.twitter.com/qic7JgoA1I— Kat Eliza 🦉 (@KatEli999) January 21, 2019
6 years ago I sat in my car doing the same after being told I had skin cancer. Incredible scene @FayRipley #ColdFeet
— Steve (@Steve_1084) January 21, 2019
#ColdFeet so brilliantly written and portrayed last night. Jenny in particular so realistic. Well done.
— lynn smith (@brillbinnie) January 22, 2019
Crying for Jenny 😭😢 #coldfeet
— Helen (@helenjanexx) January 21, 2019
And many got in touch with Ripley directly on Twitter to share their personal stories.
Thank you all for sharing your very personal stories. I don’t want to let even one of you down. @BCCare #ColdFeet
— Fay Ripley (@FayRipley) January 21, 2019
Nearly 10 years since my mum found out she had breast cancer. Imagine her reaction was same as Jenny’s. @FayRipley doing a great job so far. I imagine the portrayal of this will be sympathetically done on #ColdFeet & hopefully help at least one person.
— Caroline (@CB_1884) January 21, 2019
Watching #coldfeet ….. watching @FayRipley take that news was spot on… that’s exactly how I reacted. Beautifully acted… the following bit too 🦋
— Anna (@anna321982) January 21, 2019
Brought back so many memories. Coming up to 5 years diagnosed 4 years clear. It did make me cry. But a great way to get the message out there. Remember all those emotions all too well and sadly they never go away xx
— Gaye Noble-Wootton (@NobleWootton) January 22, 2019
Certainly made me think. I have my mammogram tomorrow. Fantastic portrayal delivered so well. Tears in my eyes watching Well done
— Lady Debs 👑👒🍸🍾 (@DebsL64) January 21, 2019
Speaking previously about the cancer storyline at a Cold Feet screening, Ripley said: “They asked me how I’d feel about it and I said I wanted it dealt with properly because of the weight of that responsibility. “And because so many people I know are affected by breast cancer and cancer in general. And that’s life at the moment.
“We have seen this story with shows but I wanted it to be real. Sometimes it’s going to be funny, sometimes it’s going to be scary. I just want it to be honest.”
And speaking of how her character was unwilling to tell others about her diagnosis, Ripley added: “[Other dramas] might show it where the character looks for support and gets the support. But this character [Jenny] doesn’t tell anybody,” she said. “She’s flawed. It’s maybe not the kindest thing for her husband. In a way it’s her way of saying, ‘I don’t know what to do, because I’ve never had cancer before’.”
Cold Feet is on Mondays at 9pm on ITV
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