Richard E. Grant: Becoming a widower made me aware of ‘loss and survival’

Richard E. Grant has said becoming a widower has made him “acutely aware of loss and survival”.The actor’s wife, Joan Washington, died in September 2021 after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.Grant’s latest project is Richard E. Grant’s Very Modern Odyssey, a four-part documentary series for Channel 4 in which he retraces the legendary journey across the Mediterranean described in Homer’s The Odyssey.Grant’s wife, Joan Washington, died of lung cancer in 2021 (Ian West/PA)PA ArchiveSpeaking about the show’s themes of endurance and loss, Grant, 69, said: “I’m a widower, so am acutely aware of loss and survival.“The behind-the-scenes travel challenges of delayed and cancelled flights, camera equipment going Awol for five days, taking planes, ferries and a minibus for 29 hours within a three-day period, was exhausting.“As was interviewing many contributors who spoke no English, a real endurance test, like trying to navigate past six-headed Scylla.”Grant and Washington married in 1986 and had a daughter Olivia, 37, and a stepson, Tom, from Washington’s previous relationship.Grant and Washington married in 1986 (Ian West/PA)PA ArchiveThe actor also spoke about the romanticisation of the Mediterranean in literature and film.Asked if the myth lived up to the reality, he said: “Post-Brexit and the introduction of photo and finger-printing ID in airports, has made travel around Europe a nightmare of queueing, endless delays and frustration, until they get all the new technology to work properly.“In our social media-saturated age, any site immortalised in literature or on film is a selfie magnet, so visiting at unsociable hours is the best chance of not being outnumbered.”Richard E. Grant’s Very Modern Odyssey starts on Sunday August 2 on Channel 4.