Coronation Street favourite Jacob Roberts talks physical transformation for Kit Green's emotional new health story

Kit Green star Jacob Roberts has opened up about his character's rare health storyline, which sees Kit diagnosed with stage three male breast cancer.

The diagnosis comes after the Green family are made aware that they may carry a familial BRCA gene, following the death of Kit's estranged aunt Celeste. The storyline will explore both the physical impact of the diagnosis on Kit and the emotional toll it will take on him as he comes to terms with the disease – as well as how his diagnosis impacts his wider relationships.

Speaking to Radio Times at The National Television Awards 2026, Roberts detailed that taking on the storyline required "a lot of research", explaining that he previously had only been aware of breast cancer as a disease that primarily affected women.

"I never knew it happened," he said. "We've got a lot of intense research and hopefully this shows on screen. [Breast cancer] is kind of only a women's world at the minute, and we need to make it more accessible for men as well."

Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than one per cent of all UK yearly breast cancer cases. As awareness of the disease among men is low, many men do not realise the potential symptoms, which can lead to delayed diagnoses and higher mortality rates.

For Kit, his diagnosis is particularly difficult to accept. Roberts explained to RT: "I think it affects his masculinity, and I think he struggles with that. He's just deteriorating and he can't do the things he wants to do. And having a bit of an ego about himself, you'll see that gradually change."

The actor also underwent a physical transformation for the role, having shaved his head for the storyline. Detailing what this was like for him, he explained: "I was kind of a bit nervous about it, but they never told me to shave it.

"And I thought for the story, I think we need to... yeah, you know. It's nothing, you know? It's just hair at the end of the day. Let's tell the story right."

When news of the storyline was first announced, Roberts shared he had spoken to male breast cancer survivors to portray the story authentically. He said: "I genuinely didn’t know that men could get breast cancer and I felt, to make it authentic, that Kit shouldn't know that men can get breast cancer either.

"Speaking to the charities and male survivors has been really insightful, lots of men don't know they can get this and, for Kit, it's that utter disbelief of how can this be? Not only for his age, but how can I have this as a bloke and who else in the family could be affected."

Read more:

• 8 Coronation Street spoilers for next week: Jodie Ramsey manipulates Shona Platt’s sanity
• Coronation Street airs reckless Kit Green and Bethany Platt move in early ITVX release

Coronation Street have been working closely with cancer charities Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Now to accurately portray Kit's diagnosis, while also raising awareness of the real risks of the illness among men.

Coronation Street is working with Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Now.

Call the Macmillan helpline on 0808 808 00 00 or speak to nurses from Breast Cancer Now via 0808 800 6000.

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