She has kept a brave face for six months, but but Coronation Street star Sally Whittaker finally broke down in public today as she told of her battle against cancer.

The 46-year-old actress wept openly as she was asked about her condition during a charity event for the disease.

Mrs Whittaker – who plays the ITV soap’s Sally Webster - went back to work last week after revealing she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tears: Coronation Street star Sally Whittaker - who was diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago - breaks down in public at a charity event today

Having lost most of her hair due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she braved the cameras and a wore wig similar to her character’s old style for scenes recorded this week.

But today, when quizzed by organisers at the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal’s charity event in Manchester today, tears fell down Mrs Whittaker’s face.

An onlooker said: ‘Sally was talking about all the support she had from the hospital which treated her, the charity, fans of the show and fellow cast members and she just got overwhelmed in the emotion of it all.

Costars: Sally with Kym Marsh at the cancer charity event today

‘She was just thanking everyone for all their messages of support and she just got tears in her eyes and cried. It was very moving to hear her speak.

‘Given all Sally has been put through it seemed totally understandable she would have a good cry in public - and there wasn't a dry eye in the audience either.

'Not only has she had to fight cancer, she has talked publicly about it and then gone back to work with of course all the cast, fans and other wellwishers asking her about the illness and wishing her well.

Raising cash: Sally, Dr Chris Steele, centre, and Kym Marsh with other event participants today

‘Sally is a total trooper and has kept up a brave front for all this time and has been all smiles in public but it is inevitable that coping with such a serious illness whilst under such a huge spotlight, it will take it out of you.’

Mrs Whittaker was joined by costar Kym Marsh – who plays Michelle Connor in the soap – at the 'Keep Fit & Pink' event and 10k sponsored walk raise funds and awareness for the prevention of breast cancer.

In character: Miss Whittaker wore a wig similar to her former hairstyle while filming scenes for Coronation Street this week

The pair dressed in bright pink tutus for the event.

Mrs Whittaker has also admitted that the soap – in which her pushy developed the disease – could have saved her life.

It was because of her character's storyline that she had a lump that she had found on her breast checked out.

The early diagnosis means she has a good chance of recovery.

'If I had not been researching this storyline, I may not have discovered the lump in my breast and had it looked at so quickly,' she said.

'I had never properly checked my breast before because I thought this wasn't going to happen to me.'

Miss Whittaker confessed she had ignored a lump she had felt while on holiday earlier last year, but was inspired by her scenes to have it checked by on set nurse.

She explained: 'It's a stupid thing to think, but I think a lot of women are like that. Then one day, while filming the scenes about Sally having cancer, I had an hour off [and went to see the nurse].'

The nurse immediately booked her a hospital appointment and last November she was diagnosed with a 1.8cm grade 1 tumour.