Faye Brookes is set to perform a touching Dancing On Ice routine for her brother Jack

‘It rocked our family!’ Faye Brookes is set to perform a touching routine for her brother Jack on Dancing On Ice after he battled leukaemia as child

Faye Brookes is set to perform a touching routine for her brother Jack on Sunday’s Dancing On Ice semi-final after he battled leukaemia as child.    

The Coronation Street star, 33, and her pro partner Matt Evers, 44, will dance to James Bay’s Simply The Best during the show.

Speaking to The Sun, Faye told how ‘lucky’ she was that her brother was still here today after he was diagnosed with the illness at the age of nine.

Touching performance: Faye Brookes is set to perform a touching routine for her brother Jack on Sunday’s Dancing On Ice semi-final after he battled leukaemia as child

She told the publication: ‘He got diagnosed when was he was nine. It rocked our family.

‘He was in and out of hospital for nearly ten years but I’m so lucky to say that he is still by my side.’

While she added to the Daily Star: ‘The fact that he got a second chance at life is what my personal skate is all about.’

Thankful: Speaking to The Sun's Bizarre column, Faye told how 'lucky' she was that her brother was still here today, after he was diagnosed with the illness at the age of nine (pictured in 2018)

Thankful: Speaking to The Sun’s Bizarre column, Faye told how ‘lucky’ she was that her brother was still here today, after he was diagnosed with the illness at the age of nine (pictured in 2018)

Taking to the rink: The Coronation Street star, 33, and her pro partner Matt Evers, 44, will dance to James Bay's Simply The Best during the show (pictured last week)

Taking to the rink: The Coronation Street star, 33, and her pro partner Matt Evers, 44, will dance to James Bay’s Simply The Best during the show (pictured last week) 

Leukaemia is a type of cancer of the white blood cells that begins in the bone marrow. It is the most common form of cancer in children, with three-quarters of cases being the acute lymphoblastic type.

As long as it is diagnosed quickly, nine out of 10 of those aged 14 or younger who are diagnosed with leukaemia are more likely to beat the disease.

Faye had previously spoken about her brother’s battle with the cancer, as she watched him spend many weeks in hospital.

Although Jack was given the all-clear at 18, Faye revealed how distraught she had been at the thought of losing her brother when he was first diagnosed.

Illness: Luke was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of nine, and after seeking treatment, he was given the all-clear aged 18 (pictured with Faye in 2019)

Illness: Luke was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of nine, and after seeking treatment, he was given the all-clear aged 18 (pictured with Faye in 2019) 

She told The Sun back in 2017: ‘Jack was a silly nine-year-old boy. I was 14 and I would force him to do stupid shows and dress him up in girls’ clothes.

‘We were inseparable. When he was diagnosed I was too young to comprehend what was going on but I remember my mum telling me Jack really wasn’t well. 

‘It was the first time I’d seen doubts as to how long Jack had left. He had a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy.’ 

Faye recalled this being a ‘heartbreaking’ experience for her, and it made her all the more ‘protective’ of her younger brother.  

She said is also grateful to the Macmillian nurses who helped support Jack and the rest of the family throughout his treatment.

On Dancing On Ice, Faye has been coupled up with Matt Evers since week six of the competition, after her previous partner Hamish Gaman was forced to quit after injuring his hand.

Faye will compete in Sunday’s semi-final against rapper Lady Leshurr, Capital FM presenter Sonny Jay and former Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson. 

Bowing out: Faye had previously been coupled up with Hamish Gaman on the show, before he was forced to quit after an injury (pictured in February)

Bowing out: Faye had previously been coupled up with Hamish Gaman on the show, before he was forced to quit after an injury (pictured in February) 

WHAT IS LEUKAEMIA?

Leukaemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue, usually the bone marrow.

It leads to the over-production of abnormal white blood cells, which fight off infections. 

But a higher number of white blood cells means there is ‘less room’ for other cells, including red blood cells – which transport oxygen around the body – and platelets – which cause blood to clot when the skin is cut.

There are many different types of leukaemia, which are defined according to the immune cells they affect and how the disease progresses.

For all types combined, 9,900 people in the UK were diagnosed with leukaemia in 2015, Cancer Research UK statistics reveal.

And in the US, around 60,300 people were told they had the disease last year, according to the National Cancer Institute. 

Most cases have no obvious cause, with the cancer not being contagious or inherited.

Leukaemia generally becomes more common with age – the exception being acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which peaks in children.

Other risk factors include being male, exposed to certain chemicals or radiation, and some bone-marrow disorders.

Symptoms are generally vague and get worse over time.

These can include:

  • Tiredness
  • Frequent infections
  • Sweats
  • Bruising
  • Heavy periods, nose bleeds or bleeding gums
  • Palpitations 
  • Shortness of breath

Acute leukaemia – which progresses rapidly and aggressively – is often curable via chemo, radiotherapy or a stem cell transplant.

Chronic forms of the disease – which typically progress slowly – tend to incurable, however, these patients can often live with the disease. 

Source: Leukaemia Care