Brenda Edwards had some tough times in recent years with the sudden death of her son Jamal and breast cancer scare. The presenter speaks to The Mirror on how her fellow Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has been supporting her

She fought breast cancer in 2016, went through early menopause because of the chemo, and then she tragically lost her son Jamal, aged 31, in 2022.

Now Brenda Edwards admits she’s getting used to a new life – one in which she’s only too aware the cancer could return at any point. And that’s why the second she felt a new lump she went straight to the hospital for tests – and took her fellow Loose Women star and Mirror agony aunt Coleen Nolan with her.

“I thought I’d felt a lump and I was a little bit worried about it and obviously once you’ve had it, you’re told that if there’s anything else, no matter how big or small, to flag it,” Brenda, 55, explains.

Coleen, 59, knows only too well the devastating effects of the disease, having seen three of her sisters, Bernie, Anne and Linda diagnosed with breast cancer. Bernie passed away in 2013 aged just 52 and fellow Mirror columnist Linda, 65, is currently fighting secondary breast cancer which has spread to the brain.

It made Coleen uniquely qualified to support Brenda through her scare. “Myself and Coleen do have talks about it and Coleen kindly came with me to the hospital,” she says.

“It’s nice to have someone like her, because she’s so funny. If you’re sitting in a waiting room and you’re going through your thoughts and thinking of what could be, Coleen is the perfect person to make a distraction and keep your mind off the worst.”

Brenda Edwards sharing a kiss with son Jamal Edwards(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Thankfully doctors gave Brenda the news that she was longing to hear. “I got the all clear and I’ve been nine years free of cancer; I’m very grateful,” she smiles.

Brenda joined the Loose Women panel five years ago and quickly established herself as one of the show’s most enthusiastic and positive presenters. But she acknowledges that her zest for life and her enthusiasm to take on new challenges inevitably stems from the tough times she has endured.

“Having cancer will change anybody, because you face a life of uncertainty, so it does make you appreciate life every day,” she says thoughtfully. I’m very grateful for what life brings me. I’ve always been a go getter, but [now] I’m even more of a go-getter. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. You might succeed, so I’ll try almost anything.”

One of the things that Brenda is currently desperate to try is a twirl around the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom. It was rumoured before this series that she was being eyed up as a possible contestant. It may not have worked out this time – she’s about to go on tour but she can’t wait cha-cha-charm Craig Revel Horwood and co another time.

Coleen Nolan with Brenda Edwards (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Plenty of her Loose Women colleagues have competed on the BBC1 dance show, with very mixed results. Brenda laughs: “I did a little bit of it when I appeared on television in Strictly The Real Full Monty [the ITV show to raise cancer awareness].

“They had a ballroom scene. It was fun, but it was tiring. It was only a minute and I was exhausted! I’ve got two left feet, so I’d be more movement than dance.”

Brenda’s warm-hearted nature has seen her make close friends with many of her Loose Women co-stars, including Coleen, Charlene White, Ruth Langsford, Judi Love and Kelle Bryan. And she is hoping that many of them will be in the audience supporting her in her latest venture, which sees her returning to star as Mama Morton in a UK tour of the award-winning musical Chicago.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s and featuring a slew of classic songs, including All That Jazz and When You’re Good to Mama, the tour sees former Strictly dancer Kevin Clifton in the role of Billy Flynn and former Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart.

Brenda Edwards as Mama Morton in Chicago(Image: PR HANDOUT)

Brenda Edwards attends Magic At The Musicals 2024 Royal Albert Hall

Brenda, who lives in West London, shot to fame as a semi-finalist on the second series of The X Factor in 2005. Since then, she has had a successful musical theatre career, with roles in the UK tour of Hairspray, We Will Rock You in the West End and appearances at the London Coliseum and the Royal Festival Hall. She also released her debut album in 2011.

Born in Bedfordshire to a Caribbean family, Brenda was raised by relatives following the tragic death of her parents in a car crash when she was four. She spent her childhood singing in a Pentecostal choir and at 18 sang at local nightclubs, weddings and funerals, but she was forced to take a full-time job working in accounts to make ends meet.

Then, at 36, she took a last stab at a career in showbusiness when she entered The X Factor. Finishing fourth to winner Shayne Ward (currently on Strictly), her soulful vocals saw her immediately signed up to join the cast of Chicago in the West End.

It makes her return to the role of Mama Morton all the more special. “It’s really nice to be back in the Chicago family,” she smiles. “I’m really glad that they asked me if I’d return.

“Mama Morton is a very stern keeper of the keys – she runs the jail. Am I anything like her? I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m not as tough – but I’m quite straight to the point.”

Brenda’s a mum-of-two herself, with daughter singer songwriter Tanisha and late DJ and SBTV founder Jamal MBE, whose pioneering music channel helped launch the likes of Ed Sheeran. Jamal died in February 2022 from a heart attack after taking cocaine and drinking alcohol.

In August, Brenda marked what would have been SBTV star’s 34th birthday with a sweet message: “I know Jamal is celebrating his Birthday today up above and you can guarantee I will be doing the same.”

Ed, 33, has meanwhile admitted Jamal’s death forced him to kick a drug habit which he’d developed in his mid-20s. He previously said: “I would never, ever, ever touch anything again, because that’s how Jamal died. And that’s just disrespectful to his memory to even, like, go near.”

Jamal was great friends with Ed Sheeran who was devastated with his death

Just like during the cancer scare, Coleen was also a rock for Brenda during her grief. The agony aunt recently told the Mirror about her surprise and pride at the way Brenda managed to go on.

For now, that’s just by keeping busy. She’s touring with Chicago until February while juggling with her Loose Women filming commitments.

And she knows she has to take care of her own health too however. That’s why she’s even taking an air fryer on tour with her, rather than be tempted by unhealthy restaurant or hotel meals.

“Since my cancer I researched on what I should eat. I was eating a lot of processed foods and not a lot of veg, so spinach is my best friend,” she explains. “I love broccoli, salmon and chicken and I try to stay away from sugars and white wine and be sensible. Now I drink gin and tonic – the Queen’s drink. If it works for Her Majesty, it works for me!”

She admits being driven with her career, but insists: “I’m not a workaholic. I do work hard, there’s no point in doing a job if you’re not going to do it properly, focus on it and commit to it. I think that’s a nice work ethic to have. That’s the way I was raised, my whole family are like that – they’re hard-working people.

“Yet, you’ve got to know when to switch off, because all work and no fun makes you a very dull person.”