Tracy Shaw in tears after missing breast cancer appointment because she could not find a parking space

Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw became emotional after missing a crucial breast cancer appointment at Royal Berkshire Hospital, despite arriving early and spending 45 minutes searching for somewhere to park.

The 53-year-old, who played Maxine Peacock in the ITV soap, said the experience left her feeling overwhelmed because the appointment was one she had been particularly looking forward to during her ongoing treatment.

Shaw was diagnosed with breast cancer in April after discovering a lump. She underwent her fourth round of chemotherapy last month and has been sharing updates on her treatment with followers.

Tracy spent 45 minutes looking for a parking space

In an emotional Instagram Story, Shaw explained that she had arrived at the hospital with plenty of time to spare but was unable to find a parking space.

By the time she recorded the video from her car, she had already missed the appointment.

She told followers that she had contacted the hospital and was told there was no guarantee the doctor would still be able to see her because it was her first appointment.

Shaw said she had been driving around the car park for approximately 45 minutes before giving up.

She also revealed that staff had suggested she try parking on the road outside the hospital, but she felt the chances of finding a space there were extremely small.

According to Shaw, parking at Royal Berkshire Hospital has been a longstanding problem for people who use the facility.

The situation proved particularly upsetting because of the anxiety it caused at a time when she was already dealing with the pressures of cancer treatment.

She explained that she did not have anyone available to drop her at the hospital because her son Luca had returned to university.

Shaw also recalled that she had previously been 45 minutes late for chemotherapy because of problems with parking.

After the appointment was missed, she confirmed that it would now have to be rearranged and thanked followers who sent her messages and suggestions.

Her latest treatment update brought another difficult setback

The parking problem came as Shaw continues to navigate a difficult period in her breast cancer treatment.

Last month, she became tearful while discussing the results of an ultrasound and revealed that surgery was not currently possible because the tumours had not reduced enough in size.

Shaw had undergone the scan to find out whether chemotherapy had reduced the lesions in her left breast. She had been hoping the treatment would have produced a noticeable change.

She also asked doctors to examine a lump she had discovered in her right breast.

There was some reassuring news from that examination. Shaw said the lumps on her right breast were cysts.

However, the results concerning the lesions on her left breast were not what she had hoped to hear.

Although their shape had changed from circular to oval, they had not actually become smaller.

Shaw admitted that she had expected the chemotherapy to reduce the size of the lesions and found it difficult to reconcile the result with everything her body had been through during treatment.

She said she was looking for some indication that the physical toll of chemotherapy had translated into progress in the tumours.

For now, the lack of sufficient shrinkage means surgery cannot take place.

Tracy Shaw’s years as Maxine Peacock

Shaw remains best known for her role as Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street, a character she first played in 1995.

Maxine was introduced as a friend of Fiona Middleton, played by Angela Griffin.

Her storyline later took a dramatic turn when she betrayed Fiona by having a one-night stand with Fiona’s boyfriend, Steve McDonald.

A year after joining the soap, Shaw was awarded the Rear of the Year title.

On the programme, Maxine eventually married butcher Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold.

The character later had a child with a local doctor while still married to Ashley.

Maxine’s story ended in one of the soap’s most violent storylines. She was murdered by Richard after returning home from the pub, with the character being struck with a crowbar.

Shaw also pursued music and theatre

Alongside her television career, Shaw briefly moved into music.

In 1998, she launched a pop career and released two singles, Ridin’ High and a cover of Lonnie Gordon’s Happenin’ All Over Again.

After leaving Coronation Street, she continued to take on smaller parts in ITV dramas.

Much of her subsequent work has been in theatre.

Now, Shaw has been documenting a very different chapter of her life, regularly updating followers about her breast cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy and the challenges that have come with treatment.

Her latest missed appointment means she will have to wait for another date, after what she described as an already distressing morning caused by the struggle to find somewhere to park.