**Wrexham Welcome to Wrexham Translator Maxine Hughes Shares Details of Private Cancer Journey**
A familiar face to fans of Disney’s “Welcome to Wrexham”, Welsh translator and journalist Maxine Hughes has spoken publicly for the first time about a hidden health battle she’s endured over the past year. Known for her playful interactions with Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney on the popular docuseries, Maxine, 45, has revealed that she’s recently completed 20 gruelling rounds of chemotherapy for an aggressive form of cancer.
Maxine, who is originally from Conwy but currently lives in Washington DC, now faces a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. This form of the disease is notorious for its aggressiveness, and Maxine’s diagnosis was kept secret, shared only with her closest friends and family—including Rob McElhenney’s stepmother, Jill—until now. The mother of two young boys, Iori, 12, and Manu, 7, spoke candidly about her fears and determination to see her children grow up, despite confronting the darkest moments of her life.
Speaking during her final chemotherapy session in Virginia, Maxine described the first shock of hearing the word “cancer,” admitting it sent her mind racing to the worst-case scenarios. “You suddenly think, ‘am I going to die?’ and whether you’ll be there for your children,” she said. Yet, the constant demands of parenting two energetic sons forced her to remain active, leaving little time to dwell on her diagnosis.
Maxine’s ordeal began suddenly last Christmas while visiting her wife Sally Ayhan’s family in Australia. The trip was already emotionally charged, as she received the devastating news of her father John’s passing from dementia at the age of 80. While grieving, she discovered a lump in her chest—a find made more unsettling by the fact that she had received a clear mammogram just months before. After her return to the US, she plunged into work as a journalist covering California’s wildfires, all the while unaware of the severity of her condition.
A subsequent mammogram confirmed her fears: she had breast cancer, and further tests revealed it was the particularly aggressive triple negative form. “As a journalist, I’ve covered so many cancer stories, but nothing prepares you for when it becomes your own,” Maxine recalled, admitting she nearly fainted from the shock.
Looking ahead, Maxine is allowing cameras to follow her through her forthcoming double mastectomy as part of a documentary. She hopes her openness will shed light on the wider challenges faced by cancer patients, especially the delays and stresses of health systems in both England and Wales. Maxine believes her story is just one window into rising cancer rates and the strain on healthcare.
Hair loss, nail problems, and intense physical changes during chemotherapy have been some of the toughest aspects, Maxine shares, highlighting how little is said about these realities. Her choice to forego cosmetic reconstruction after surgery is motivated by a desire for honesty and acceptance. “There’s a lot of pressure on women to preserve their appearance, but I want to start a conversation that it’s okay to choose whatever’s right for you,” she stated.
Before her surgery, surgeons have delayed her operation to allow Maxine to travel back to Wales and receive a prestigious Welsh honour at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham—a meaningful accolade that links her back to her roots and family.
Maxine credits her involvement in ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ for reconnecting her to her Welsh heritage and says the series’ stars, Rob and Ryan, along with the welcoming Wrexham community, have been instrumental in helping her through her ordeal. “It’s been so much more than just television for me; it’s about community and support,” she reflects.
The translator, who landed the job after seeing a casting call in the US Welsh-speaking community, quickly became a fan favourite in the show’s promo. Her quips about the Hollywood duo’s Welsh language skills resonated with viewers, yet she emphasises their deep respect for the Welsh culture and language. “They’ve always made sure the language and the community are front and centre—it’s not just about football or making a show,” she affirms.
Maxine concludes by highlighting Wrexham’s strong, resilient community, saying the club’s turnaround is as much about the people as it is about its famous owners. Her journey is a story not only of personal resilience but also of the importance of unity, heritage, and the supportive power of communal identity in the face of adversity.