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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Richard E. Grant says friends dodge him in the street since his beloved wife Joan died

Richard E. Grant has revealed his friends dodge him in the street since his wife died.

The father-of-one, 65, lost his beloved wife Joan to lung cancer in 2021.

Richard, who was married to the dialect coach for 35 years, has shared his journey through grief on Instagram - and has now updated his fans with a 'walking widower post'.

Walking through a sunlit street, he says: "I've returned to the South of France and have just seen a Swedish couple that I've known for 25 years. As I walked toward them, they just ducked their heads, what were they expecting? Extraordinary."

Richard captioned the post: "Walking widower encountering so called ‘friends’ who edit themselves out of your Life."

The Withnail star was inundated with support after sharing his video, with many telling the actor he 'didn't need friends like those'.

Richard E. Grant has revealed his friends dodge him in the street since his wife died (Instagram/ @richardegrant)
The actor said he founds his friends' behaviour 'extraordinary' (Instagram/ @richardegrant)

The star has admitted to being in a “well of grief” after caring for his wife - who he affectionately called Monkee-mine - until she died at their Cotswolds cottage at the age of 71.

Tragically Joan’s death came just eight months after doctors delivered the heartbreaking news her cancer was terminal.

In a tearful Instagram video posted on what would have been his wife's birthday in December, Richard said he is “still in denial she is not here”.

The much-loved actor was overcome with emotion In February when he hosted the memoriam section of the BAFTA ceremony.

They were married for 35 years (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Richard and Joan with their daughter Olivia (AFP via Getty Images)

Introducing the tribute, he said: "Tonight is celebration of film in all its mad, sad, funny, frightening, thought-provoking forms.

"Let's take this opportunity to pay tribute to those members of the global film community that we sadly lost over the last 12 months."

As he struggled to hold back tears, Richard's voice broke as he added: "I'm sorry."

"Their impact lives on," he continued. "Let's take a moment to remember them now."

The star was in tears during the BAFTAs (BBC, Getty)

Richard was also seen wearing two watches at the event, one of which was given to him by his late father and is set to Swaziland time in honour of the star's dual heritage.

The actor's father, Henrik Esterhuysen, sadly passed away from lung cancer at the age of 52 when he was 24.

Speaking of his dad's sad death, Richard previously said: "It is a recurring regret that he never lived to see me succeed beyond university and drama."

Despite the emotion of the BAFTAs, the star received endless praise following his hosting duties alongside This Morning 's Alison Hammond as the duo celebrated the very best in British and Irish Film and TV over the past 12 months.

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