Damian Lewis has admitted he felt ‘physically drained’ after his wife Helen McCrory’s death and spoke about ‘grieving’ during a loved one’s terminal illness battle.
The actor, 51, candidly spoke about how he felt ‘exhausted’ for months after his wife Helen died in April 2021 aged 52 after being diagnosed with cancer.
He explained that after putting all his focus into ‘living the best possible life’ while Helen was alive that he felt ‘wiped out’ after his wife tragically died.
Grief: Damian Lewis has admitted he felt ‘physically drained’ after his wife Helen McCrory’s death and spoke about ‘grieving’ during a loved one’s terminal illness battle
He told The Guardian: ‘For four or five months, you’re physically drained. Helen was ill for four and a half years.
‘They say that the first day of diagnosis of an illness that could be terminal is the first day of your grief.’
Damian, who had a son and daughter with Helen, said he was already in a ‘state of semi-grief’ when his wife was still alive because she was battling a terminal illness.
‘You are in a state of semi-grief while the person is still alive because there is always the sense that something might go wrong at any point,’ he explained.
Sad times: The actor (pictured in 2020), 51, candidly spoke about how he felt ‘exhausted’ for months after his wife Helen died in April 2021 aged 52 after being diagnosed with cancer
Inspiration: After Helen’s death, Damian tapped into his creative side and turned to music to cope with his loss, making an album of songs inspired by his wife
Helen’s death came as a shock to the public because she had hidden her illness in lockdown.
And after her death in April 2021, Damian wrote a lovely tribute to his wife in The Times that was both funny and moving.
During the tribute, he talked about her great qualities and the advice she had left for him and their two children Manon, 16, and Gulliver, 14.
Tragic loss: Helen’s death came as a shock to the public because she had hidden her illness in lockdown. Pictured: Helen and Damian in May 2019
He said: ‘As I sit down to write this, I can hear Helen shouting from the bed: “Keep it short, Damian, it’s not about you”.’
He continued his tribute by saying how he had never known anybody who so consciously spread happiness or enjoyed life as much as his wife did.
After Helen’s death, Damian tapped into his creative side and turned to music to cope with his loss, making an album of songs inspired by his wife.
Earlier this year, Damian took to stage to perform songs from his debut album at an intimate London gig.
Tribute: And In a statement in April 2021, Damian penned: ‘I’m heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died’
Damian started busking at a young age and music has always been a passion of his, and both lockdown and the loss of his wife inspired him to pursue his interest.
Since tragically losing his wife Helen, Damian has found love again with musician Alison Mosshart.
Following her death, Damian revealed how his late wife had urged him to find love again, telling him and their children that she wanted ‘Daddy to have lots of girlfriends’.
Damian said in a social media post: ‘She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air.’
Damian’s tribute: Helen’s death came as a shock to the public because she had hidden her illness in lockdown. And after her death in April 2021, Damian wrote a lovely tribute to his wife in The Times that was both funny and moving
Damian and Alison have made a number of public appearances together in recent months.
The couple are thought to have met through mutual friends while in London.
They have grown increasingly fond of one another, Alison’s mother Vivian, 76, previously told MailOnline.
Speaking exclusively from her home in Florida, she said: ‘I don’t know how much flak I’m going to get for all of this but of course we are excited for her.
Creative: After his wife’s death, Damian tapped into his creative side once again and revealed that he has recently been making an album of songs inspired by his wife
‘They have mutual friends. I don’t know exactly how they met but I’m fine with it. If she’s happy, we are happy. I’m yet to meet him but certainly I’d like to.’
The pair were first photographed together in July at a swanky fundraising party for London’s National Gallery.
A fellow passenger, who spotted the pair travelling to the event by train, told The Mail on Sunday that the two looked ‘100 per cent romantically involved – like they were on a hot date’.
Couple: Since tragically losing his wife Helen, Damian has found love again with musician Alison Mosshart
They were seen again at the Serpentine Gallery’s annual summer party – one of the highlights of the British capital’s social season.
The pair were once more snapped at the British Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone, with Alison taking to Instagram afterwards to write: ‘The absolute thrill. I’m still floating… at 200 miles per hour.’
They then confirmed their relationship during an appearance at private members’ club The House of KOKO’s summer party in July, during which Damian wore his wedding ring.
Smitten: The couple are thought to have met through mutual friends while in London and have grown increasingly fond of one another
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