Meera Syal breaks down in tears while reflecting on her mother’s death from dementia as she praises volunteer who supported her in ‘terrible’ final weeks
Meera Syal broke down in tears as she emotionally discussed her mother's death from dementia in Lorraine.
The comedian, 62, lost her mother Surinder Kaur earlier this year and praised the volunteer who stood by her side during her 'terrible' last month.
Meera appeared in Lorraine alongside Shirley, who had signed up to volunteer for the Alzheimer's Society after seeing a recruitment video of the actress years earlier.
Shirley eventually became a volunteer supporting Surinder during her final weeks, with Meera saying she made a 'friend for life'.
Speaking to guest presenter Louise Minchin, Shirley said: 'I saw her talking about the dementia friends campaign and I thought it sounded good and I became a volunteer.'
Meera Syal broke down in tears as she emotionally discussed her mother's death from dementia in Lorraine
The comedian lost her mother Surinder Kaur earlier this year and praised the volunteer who stood by her side during her 'terrible' last month
Meera added: “Mum and Shirley hung out together. The first time they met was extraordinary.”
Shirley told Louise: 'It was so wonderful that I felt like I had known her for so long, there was a great bond.'
Meera then struggled to hold back tears and added: “It's incredible that the person who saw my campaign years later helped us through a terrible month.
'I've made a friend for life.'
In October, Meera first shared that her parents had passed away, writing on Instagram, “Tomorrow I will be participating in the @alzheimerssoc Memory Walk as their ambassador and in memory of my beloved mom and dad.
“Less than three months orphaned and the grief is still raw, but we all draw strength from being part of an army of kindness. And all money raised will continue to provide help and hope to people living with dementia.”
In May, Meera called for more diversity in the entertainment industry when she accepted her Lifetime Achievement Award at the TV BAFTAs.
The Goodness Gracious Me star started her acceptance speech by sticking her glittering Bindi on her face-shaped trophy at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Meera appeared in Lorraine alongside Shirley, who had signed up to volunteer for the Alzheimer's Society after seeing a recruitment video of the actress years earlier.
Shirley then became a volunteer supporting Surinder during her final weeks, with Meera saying she made a 'friend for life'.
She said she hoped her win would inspire others from her background to join the entertainment industry.
The comedian said: 'To all my fellow travelers, to all those who have been made to feel like their stories don't matter because of their race, gender or class…
“They do that because it's the untold stories that change us, and sometimes can change the world.”
Meera added that there needs to be more diversity 'not just in front of the camera, but in the writers' rooms, in make-up vans and around tables where deals are made' – but thanked BAFTA for 'seeing us'.