Denise Welch says she was left distraught while filming Coronation Street over the death of Princess Diana.
Denise was starring as Rovers Return barmaid Natalie Horrocks when Princess Diana died in a car crash on August 31, 1997.
Her confession came as the Loose Women were discussing if it's normal for people to be upset over the death of a celebrity they've never met.
Denise, Andrea McLean, Nadia Sawalha and Brenda Edwards considered the subject following a string of tragic deaths in the last few days.
They talked of their sadness following the deaths of Glee star Naya Rivera, John Travolta's actress wife Kelly Preston and Benjamin Keough, the son of Lisa Marie Presley and grandson of Elvis Presley.
Andrea asked if it was right that people often face backlash for being upset about the death of a famous person they didn't know and had never met.
Denise, 62, said she had never met Princess Diana but was deeply affected by her tragic death.
She said: "I to this day have never been affected by someone's death who I didn't know as I was with Princess Diana.
"I adored her, I thought she was a wonderful role model."
She added: "I was devastated to the point it nearly made me ill, I remember the day she died I had to go into film with Michael Le Vell and I thought, 'how is everybody going about their normal lives?'
"To me it was like I'd suffered a personal tragedy."
She said the only other famous death that has come close was Michael Jackson's in 2009, as her son Matt Healy, of band The 1975, was devastated.
Andrea said it had been "a horrible few days" learning of so many tragic deaths.
Brenda said the two celebrity deaths that had affected her were Whitney Houston and Princess Diana.
She said: "I'd heavily invested in [Whitney's] albums and looked up to her and her voice.
"When she died it was such a shock.
"The other person was Lady Diana, for the reasons and circumstances of how she died was close to my heart with similar circumstances to my parents.
"I don't know if I was crying for her death or for the boys to grow up without a mum."
Andrea said that psychologists call it parasocial interaction when a person feels a deep connection to a celebrity, and said it's because we associate them with memories, such as our favourite movies and songs.
Nadia said it also "reminds us of our own mortalities".
She added: "This poor actress from Glee, I was broken hearted with that yesterday.
"I think I'm affected by things as a mother."
She also said that she felt for Lisa Marie, who could be asking herself if there was anything she could have done to stop her son's apparent suicide.
The Loose women urged anyone who is struggling to "please call Samaritans".
* Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV
* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
