Hollyoaks actress Abi Phillips has revealed the devastating news that she has been diagnosed with cancer.

Abi, who portrays Liberty on the long-running Channel 4 soap shared the news that she has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of just 28.

Hollyoaks star issues heartbreaking statement after cancer diagnosis

Taking to social media, she said: "So, I took these pictures before my scans and after my biopsy having a good old laugh about how ridiculously dressed up I looked in the hospital before a gig, not expecting for one moment to get the news that I did two weeks later."

She added: "I'd previously been sent away from the doctors after having found two lumps in my neck, they'd passed it off and said I was 'young' and it wouldn't be anything and I was 'probably getting over a cold' or my body was 'fighting something off'.

"As much as that's what I wanted to hear I wanted to get everything checked for my own peace of mind.

"I booked in with a specialist and immediately she told me she was very concerned due to where my lumps were located and referred me for an urgent biopsy and scans.

"Fast forward two weeks and just before Easter weekend I had an appointment to see a consultant at the QE hospital who sat me down and told me that I had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and that I would need surgery and radiotherapy treatment.

"I never thought I would be told that I have cancer at the age of 28, you never think it's going to happen to you. I wouldn't have taken things further with seeing a specialist if I hadn't seen @demijones1 post as her lumps were in the exact same place as mine."

She concluded: "If ever you find a lump or something unusual on your body, never just think it's nothing, don't be told that you're fine by the GP and you're 'young', always get things checked out by a specialist if you can and insist on tests even if it turns out to be nothing, as catching things early is crucial for a good prognosis. This time next week I'll be on the road to recovery after my operation."