Richard E. Grant is comfortable travelling solo
Richard E. Grant is happy to globe-trot solo following the passing of his wife Joan Washington in 2021.
Richard E. Grant travels solo following the death of his wife Joan Washington.
The Withnail and I actor has revealed that he is comfortable globe-trotting alone since the passing of his wife from lung cancer at the age of 74 in 2021.
Speaking at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, Richard said: "I like being on an aeroplane, I like getting to a city and just walking and not following a Google map and just finding stuff that I might never have discovered if I was following where to go on Tripadvisor, or Instagram. I find that very exciting and liberating."
The 68-year-old star continued: "I eat dinner on my own everywhere, in my own country here, so I'm just used to it.
"And I think it's easier. I've met other widows, as opposed to widowers, who said that as a woman, they find it much more challenging to be on their own, because they either get harassed and pitied or it's just a whole different issue, whereas for a man, in my experience it's very easy."
Richard also revealed that he has resorted to exploring some of his favourite European cities at night because they are "crammed with visitors and tourists" during the day.
The Can You Ever Forgive Me? star explained: "I found that when I was in Rome and Venice this summer, it was so crammed with visitors and tourists that by going out at night, when people are eating, between eight o'clock and 10 o'clock, and you see everything lit up, it was a way of getting around being in crowds in the middle of the day."
Grant has filmed around the world during an acting career spanning over four decades but confessed that he has never visited South America.
He said: "I've never been anywhere in South America. I've never had a film that's been offered there or a TV series, and the closest I've got to is the Caribbean Islands."
Meanwhile, Richard revealed earlier this year that he is "not looking for" love again.
He told The Sunday Times Style Magazine: "I haven’t really thought about it.
"The idea of being sixty-seven and three-quarters and taking my kit off is so mortifying, I’d have to be in a Krakatoan cave without a crack of light. That may change. I’m hopeful-minded and open-hearted but I’m not looking for it."
