THIS WEEK IN 1986: Charlene's breast cancer op is aired live on BBC television

Charlene Evans was stunned when her doctor told her she had a lump in one breast '“ and that the BBC wanted to film an operation to remove it.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Mar 2017, 06:00 BST
As she waited to be taken to the operating theater for what was expected to be a half-hour operation, Mrs Evans, pictured right, 24, of Kennedy Way, Purbrook, said she was petrified' (6713-1)As she waited to be taken to the operating theater for what was expected to be a half-hour operation, Mrs Evans, pictured right, 24, of Kennedy Way, Purbrook, said she was petrified' (6713-1)
As she waited to be taken to the operating theater for what was expected to be a half-hour operation, Mrs Evans, pictured right, 24, of Kennedy Way, Purbrook, said she was petrified' (6713-1)

Her operation at Queen Alexandra Hospital would be watched by millions – and Mrs Evans hoped to be fit enough to watch it herself.

As she waited to be taken to the operating theatre for what was expected to be a half-hour operation, Mrs Evans, pictured right, 24, of Kennedy Way, Purbrook, said she was ‘petrified.’

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‘But knowing I was going to be on television helped to take my mind off the operation,’ she said.

‘I have never had an operation before. The only time I was in hospital was to have my two children,’ she added.

Her operation would be shown on ‘Hospital Watch,’ a three-times-daily TV look at staff and patients and staff in QA Hospital and St Mary’s in Portsmouth.

The lump was found in one of Mrs Evan’s breasts just before Christmas.

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‘My doctor said I should come into hospital. The next moment he asked me if the BBC could film the operation . I was stunned and when I told my husband, Stephen, he thought it was a joke,’ said Mrs Evans.

Related topics:BBCPortsmouth