Dame Sheila Hancock has spoken candidly about the 'overwhelming loneliness' she has experienced since the death of her husband, actor John Thaw, more than 24 years ago. The 93-year-old actress, known for roles in Great Canal Journeys, EastEnders and Home to Roost, described the 'gaping loss' left by the Inspector Morse star.
Writing in Prospect magazine last year, she said the loneliness can be 'terribly difficult' and she feels 'overwhelmed' facing the day alone. 'The easiest thing is to turn over and stay in bed, but an effort must be made when one least feels like it, to get up and be active, or one descends even deeper into the Slough of Despond,' she wrote.
Sheila revealed she still speaks to John while watching the Channel 4 news, often imagining how they would rant about politicians and world news together. The couple married in 1973, and John adopted her daughter Melanie from her first marriage. They later had a daughter, Joanna, while John's daughter Abigail also joined the family.
John Thaw died from oesophageal cancer in February 2002, years after Sheila was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988. More recently, she discussed ageing on Katherine Ryan's What's My Age Again? podcast, noting how turning 90 changed people's perceptions. 'They suddenly start treating you as old and you find you're acting old if you're not careful,' she said, adding that it can be 'a wonderful excuse for bad behaviour'.
