RICHARD E GRANT SAYS HE CUT OFF FRIENDS AFTER WIFE'S DEATH

Richard E Grant has stated that he removed friends from his life after they distanced themselves following the death of his wife, Joan Washington, in 2021. Washington, a dialect coach, died aged 74, eight months after a lung cancer diagnosis. Grant and Washington had been married for 35 years and had one daughter, Olivia. In a recent interview, Grant said he would not forgive those who avoided him during that period and described such people as "edited out" of his life permanently.

Grant, aged 69, told an interviewer that he operates on absolute rather than nuanced principles. He stated: "I'm very unequivocal, black and white, all or nothing." He added that he continues to write to Washington each night before bed and that the prospect of companionship with another person remained unthinkable to him. Grant revealed that earlier this year he also ended a 29-year friendship after being accidentally copied into an email containing critical comments about him.

The actor's remarks came alongside separate reporting that his daughter Olivia had recently given birth to a son. Grant described becoming a grandfather as bringing "incredible" joy and said the experience had taught him the importance of not squandering time on matters of little value. His comments reflect an ongoing process of reassessment in his personal relationships since Washington's death.