Applegate hid breast cancer diagnosis

Christina Applegate has revealed that she hid her breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy from the cast and crew of her sitcom Samantha Who?.

The actress disclosed that she had the disease in early August, before undergoing successful surgery later in the month.

Speaking on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the 36-year-old said she went back to work straight after the operation, but avoided hugs for weeks.

"I told my makeup and hair people and people that are really close to me just so I had a protection wall so that no-one was pushing me," she said.