Richard E Grant reveals he writes to his late wife Joan every day and ‘can’t imagine falling in love with anyone again’ after trying dating

Richard E Grant has revealed he 'can't imagine falling in love again' after the death of his beloved wife Joan Washington.

Joan passed away in 2021 at the age of 74, just eight months after she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

In a new interview, Richard, 66, said he writes to his late wife of 35 years every day because the thought of her not being there is too much to bear.

The actor, who is the new voice of The Wombles, added while he's been trying to date, “no one else has even come close” to Joan.

Richard talked about his sadness The Telegraph: 'I have now accepted that I will never understand. Trying to imagine that I'm not here is beyond my ability to think.

“So I write a letter to Joan every night about what's going on, and I find that it feels like I'm having a physical, tangible, ongoing conversation with her that's written down, I've found that to be really helpful. Anticipating what she might think about this, or what is her opinion on that? Even the most mundane things.”

Richard said he has been set up on blind dates by his friends in the two years since Joan's death, but he doesn't want to meet anyone.

“I think what was so special about her is that I felt like I was really seen and understood by another human being in a way that no one else has even come close to,” he said.

Richard said the idea that he could find love again is “so hard to imagine” that he can't imagine it ever happening again.

The Saltburn actor added that he is 'definitely not internet dating'.

Richard acknowledged that while Christmas is certainly a difficult time for the family, it is imperative that he maintains the traditions he and Joan have established.

The actor said he will get a tree every year and put up the decorations they make every year since their second daughter Olivia (affectionately known as Oilly) was born.

Their first daughter, Tiffany, was born prematurely and died shortly after birth.

In a new interview, Richard said he has written to his late wife every day for 35 years because the thought of her not being there is too much to bear.

Richard acknowledged that while Christmas is certainly a difficult time for the family, it is imperative that he maintain the traditions he and Joan started.

Last month, Richard paid tribute to his late wife on what would have been their 37th wedding anniversary

The actor has thrown himself into his work and is the new voice of The Wombles collaboration for Christmas (pictured with Johnny Vegas)

Since Joan's death, he has hung pictures of them on the tree and so, while she is not there, Richard and Olivia “feel her spirit” as they do the things they once did together as three, as two.

Last month, Richard paid tribute to his late wife on what would have been their 37th wedding anniversary.

Sharing a message X, formerly Twitter, the actor remembered Joan with a series of photos from over the years.

Alongside the montage, he wrote: 'Posthumous 37th wedding anniversary today. I am deeply grateful for the decades of collaboration I shared with the extraordinary love of my life, Joan Washington.”

The Wombles will air on BBC Radio 4 on Christmas Day at 6.15pm and can be found on BBC Sounds.