Kylie Minogue 'proud' of Stockton campaigner with cervical cancer

Pop star Kylie Minogue has thanked a terminally-ill woman for her "acts of bravery and selflessness".

Since receiving her diagnosis, mother-of-two Wendy Clarke has been working to raise awareness of cervical cancer.

Kylie, who has had cancer herself, said she was "so proud" of Wendy for everything she was doing.

Wendy, from Fairfield, Stockton, spoke with the singer for a BBC local radio Christmas special.

"She's such a lovely lady," Wendy said.

"She's not just beautiful to look at, she's a beautiful lady in every sense of the word.

"For her to spare her time for me, it's amazing."

Wendy received a bravery award earlier this year

Kylie, 55, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and given the all-clear the following year.

She told Wendy: "You're achieving amazing things. I'm so proud of you.

"To be handling the information and the diagnosis and just getting through day by day - I can appreciate that, I share some of your story.

"But to be translating that into empowering other people and doing such amazing things, I could only just say thank you for these acts of bravery and selflessness and really finding the spirit within yourself and allowing others around you to reaffirm life in this moment, it's just incredible."

'Nagging them'

Back in January, Wendy received the news that her cancer was terminal and was given a year to live if she had treatment.

She is using that time to encourage other women to get a smear test and raise money for charity.

"I'm aware there's one or two people out there who have gone and got their test based on me nagging them," the 46-year-old said.

She also received a Bravery Award at the BBC Radio Tees Make A Difference Awards in September and was chosen to take part in the BBC local radio Christmas special featuring Kylie.

Wendy has also been raising money for charity

During their conversation, Wendy asked the singer if she would consider making a return to Doctor Who, where Kylie appeared as Astrid Peth in a one-off performance.

Kylie replied: "It was such an amazing experience.

"I would be totally up for that."

There are about 3,200 new cervical cancer cases in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK.

The majority of cases are preventable and the government has pledged to eliminate the disease by 2040.

• There's help available for anyone affected by this story at BBC Action Line

Wendy has told the BBC she did not get tested "out of fear", and has urged other women to go for their smear test.

"The fear of the smear test is nothing compared to the fear of cancer, of what I'm going through now," she said.

"I absolutely regret not going for my smear test."

"Do it, because it's worth it. You can't put a price on your life."

• A Make a Difference Awards Special with Kylie Minogue will be broadcast on all BBC local radio stations at 09:00 GMT on 26 December