‘Especially when I’m mowing the lawn!’ Richard E. Grant admits his 2ft garden sculpture of idol Barbra Streisand’s FACE has eased him through lockdown
Richard E. Grant admits he’s had some unconventional company while adjusting to six weeks of enforced lockdown in the fight against coronavirus COVID-19.
The celebrated actor is adhering to current guidelines regarding self-quarantine by remaining at home as the global health crisis that has so far claimed 217,212 lives plays out.
But Grant, 62, insists he and wife Joan Washington are not completely alone after the star purchased an enormous two-foot sculpture of his lifelong idol, Barbra Streisand.
Opening up: Richard E. Grant admits he’s had some unconventional company while adjusting to six weeks of enforced lockdown in the fight against coronavirus COVID-19
Speaking from home on Wednesday’s edition of Lorraine, Grant admitted the sculpture, which has been placed in his back garden, has been a reassuring presence during a difficult six-weeks behind closed doors.
‘Especially when I’m mowing the lawn,’ he said. ‘Headphones in and she’s at the bottom of the garden.’
Grant fell in love with Streisand as a child after seeing her in 1968 biographical drama Funny Girl, prompting him to write her letter requesting she stay at his family home in Swaziland.
There she is: Grant, 62, insists he and wife Joan Washington are not completely alone after the star purchased an enormous two-foot sculpture of his lifelong idol, Barbra Streisand
And he admits his dream of meeting the star was realised in 2019 – a memorable year for the actor, who received a slew of awards and an Oscar nomination for his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?
He recalled: ‘It was an unbelievable year last year, I was 62 years old and it began with all these awards, and ended with me being in the final Star Wars movie.
‘In between I got to meet Barbra several times last year, I will never have a year like it.’
Let’s talk: Grant opened up about his Streisand sculpture while appearing on Wednesday’s edition of Lorraine from home
Welcome addition: The actor admitted the sculpture, which has been placed in his back garden, has been a reassuring presence during a difficult six-weeks behind closed doors
Chuffed: The actor admitted he was delighted after discovering Prime Minister Boris Johnson watched one of his films while recovering from COVID-19
While 2020 is memorable for rather different reasons, the actor expressed his delight after discovering Prime Minister Boris Johnson watched one of his greatest films, Withnail and I, while recovering from COVID-19.
‘I’ve done my national service then,’ he told the Scottish host.
With outdoor activities curtailed until further notice, Grant is doing his best to keep himself occupied as he remains at the London home she shares with wife Joan.
‘I do gardening, play scrabble with my wife everyday, go for walks, go for runs, cook, bake, do all that stuff, he revealed.
‘I have nothing to complain about. My Scottish niece is a doctor so I know what people on the front line are dealing with – there’s no room for any smidgen of complaint whatsoever.’