'Best b---- on TV' in fight of her life

If you’ve turned a television set on anytime over the last 50 years you would probably have seen her striking red hair and heard her sharp tongue.

Cornelia Francis has starred on a game show or soapie in every decade since the 1970s.

The self-described TV "b---" nearly always played the character you love to hate. 

Whether it be belittling game show contestants on The Weakest Link, pulling the young nurses into line in The Young Doctors, playing the most unlikeable Morag Bellingham on Home and Away or the tough Barbara Armstrong on Sons And Daughters, Cornelia Francis has endured decade after decade to stake her claim as "the best b---- on TV".

But behind the scenes Cornelia, or Corney as she likes to be known, is a kind, much-loved actress who fellow actors call a friend. 

She is popular, classy and charming to be with, say the TV critics – nothing like the woman we see on TV.

But now Corney is facing the toughest role she’s ever played, and it's truly the fight of her life. 

Like most cancers, hers started off as a bit of pain and a feeling of discomfort, but a check-up revealed the worst. 

It was bladder cancer, and unfortunately it had spread to her thigh and back. The swelling from the tumour was so severe it broke two ribs.

But Corney is a fighter and she told A Current Affair she is going to get through the challenge that has been handed to her. 

"It's a hard road, but we'll get there," she said.

"I'm feeling fine, albeit what's inside me.

"I'm really feeling ok. The pain comes and goes but you expect that.

"It's par for the course. We're gonna fight it, by god I am." 

Her resolve is as tough as the roles she plays. 

And she wanted to let her fans know her gratitude for their love and support, saying you haven’t heard the last from the "TV b----" yet.