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Maureen Lipman found it 'impossible to grieve' husband's death

Jack Rosenthal and Maureen Lipman   (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
Jack Rosenthal and Maureen Lipman (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)

Maureen Lipman has opened up on the anguish she dealt with when she was left struggling to grieve for her husband Jack Rosenthal after his death 16 years ago.

The playwright and screenwriter died in 2004 at the age of 72 from cancer, 30 years after he married Lipman in 1974.

"I found it almost impossible to grieve because my nature is to make people laugh. And then, I’d feel terrible about the fact I didn’t look like I was grieving enough," the 74-year-old told Prima.

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The actor said she would then spend money to make herself "feel better".

Maureen Lipman and her husband Jack Rosenthal arrive at the first night party for the one woman production Elaine Stritch at the Liberty at the Old Vic Theatre.The party was held at the Savoy Hotel,London on the 9th of October 2002.(Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Maureen Lipman and her husband Jack Rosenthal arrive at the first night party for the one woman production Elaine Stritch at the Liberty at the Old Vic Theatre.The party was held at the Savoy Hotel,London on the 9th of October 2002.(Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)

"I bought a car, then I worried that people would think it was odd; why would she buy a car when her husband has just died?"

"“But I now know that we all grieve in our own ways; there’s no right or wrong way. Sometimes, I still have my moments 16 years later," she added.

Lipman and Rosenthal had two children, Amy and Adam Rosenthal.

Maureen Lipman attends Turn The Tables 2020 hosted by Tania Bryer and James Landale in aid of Cancer Research UK at Fortnum & Mason on March 2, 2020 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Maureen Lipman attends Turn The Tables 2020 hosted by Tania Bryer and James Landale in aid of Cancer Research UK at Fortnum & Mason on March 2, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Rosenthal’s writing credits include 130 early episodes of Coronation Street. Lipman joined the long running ITV programme back in 2018 as battle-axe Evelyn Plummer, the grandmother of established character Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall).

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However, she did also have a short stint on the soap back in 2002 as the character Lillian Spencer.

Lipman can also currently be seen on Celebrity Gogglebox on Friday nights where she's joined by pal Gyles Brandreth.