Johnny Vegas has revealed volunteering during the UK coronavirus lockdown has helping him grieve for his late parents.
The comedian, 49, admitted he was left feeling ‘resentful’ when he lost his father Laurence in March 2017 from bladder cancer, followed by his mother Patricia, who died in ‘peacefully her sleep’ last November.
During an interview with Sue Perkins on her podcast An Hour Or So With…, the actor said he’s ‘in the best place I’ve been in in years’ as he delivers care packages for NHS staff and vulnerable people in his hometown of St Helens, Merseyside.
‘I’m in the best place I’ve been in in years’: Johnny Vegas has revealed volunteering during the UK coronavirus lockdown has helping him grieve for his late parents
The Ideal star has documented his charitable drop offs on social media, which he credited for ‘lifting some cloud from me’ and ‘giving me an opportunity to heal’.
Johnny, real name Michael Joseph Pennington, previously confessed he was ‘angry’ at his dad for passing ‘so suddenly’, but has now been able to mourn him properly.
The media personality told his pal: ‘I’ve walked past his photos and I’ve refused to look at him. Now, I’m having conversations with him like he’s sat next to me. I feel so much better for it.
‘I’ve allowed him back in, I’ve forgiven him for something he had no control over. I never thought I could hit the ”being angry at them” thing.
Tragic: The comedian, 49, admitted he was left feeling ‘resentful’ when he lost his father Laurence in March 2017 from bladder cancer, followed by his mother Patricia last November
Effects: The TV star lost a staggering three stone in 2018 by ‘ignoring bread and cheese’ following his father’s death (pictured)
‘I didn’t think it was within me, because there was so much love for them. But I’ve been resentful of them going.’
On what lending a helping hand to the community means to him, the TV star, who shares son Tom, four, with ex-wife Maïa Dunphy, explained: ‘This, for me, has just got rid of all the bull**** that’s been going on in my life of late.
It’s clarified so many things. In some ways I feel like I’m in the best place I’ve been in in years – just being amongst this community, feeling like you’re doing something practical.
‘I feel like a St Helens-er again, and I’ve loved it.’
Moving on: Johnny previously confessed he was ‘angry’ at his dad for passing ‘so suddenly’, but has now been able to mourn him properly (pictured on Loose Women)
The scheme in the area is also being supported by Johnny’s unlikely friend, Hollywood actor Russell Crowe.
The Gladiator star, 56, shared a video on Twitter relaying a message from Johnny asking for people who need assistance to call a helpline.
Russell said: ‘G’day folks, how are you doing? This is a message on behalf of my old mate Johnny Vegas.
Happier place: The Ideal star has documented his charitable drop offs on social media, which he credited for ‘lifting some cloud from me’ and ‘giving me an opportunity to heal’
‘If you’re in the St Helens area and you’re having trouble getting food deliveries from your local supermarket, if you’re NHS staff, a key worker, elderly, isolating, vulnerable, call this number – O1744 881881.
‘The Steve Prescott Foundation and the Blackbrook rugby league team have set up a delivery service and they can help you out, they can pick up your shopping, they can maybe even pick up your medicine.
‘One of the delivery workers is going be Johnny Vegas though, so expect to lose every second or third biscuit.’
Support: Russell Crowe revealed his unlikely friendship with the funnyman when he said the comedian will be delivering food and medicine to people in need