'I don’t really accept he’s not here anymore': Amanda Redman reveals her pain at New Tricks co-star Dennis Waterman's death which 'knocked her sideways'
- The legendary TV actor died in May at the age of 74 following a secret two-year battle with lung cancer
- Two months after his passing, Amanda, 64, Dennis' long time friend of 40 years admitted she's struggled to come to terms with his death
- When Dennis' death was announced by his family, Amanda was too distraught to share a public tribute, with her daughter Emily taking to Twitter on her behalf
- Amanda said of her friend: 'He just was so charismatic and the life and soul of the party. I don’t really accept he’s not here anymore'
- Amanda starred alongside Waterman in the BBC police drama for 10 years, as Sandra Pullman, detective superintendent to his hero Gerry Standing
Amanda Redman has revealed her New Tricks co-star Dennis Waterman's death 'knocked me sideways'.
The legendary TV actor died in May at the age of 74 following a secret two-year battle with lung cancer.
And two months after his passing, Amanda, 64, Dennis' long time friend of 40 years admitted she's struggled to come to terms with his death as she said: 'I don’t really accept he’s not here anymore.'
Distraught: Amanda Redman has revealed her New Tricks co-star Dennis Waterman's death 'knocked me sideways'
When Dennis' death was announced by his family, Amanda was too distraught to share a public tribute, with her daughter Emily taking to Twitter on her behalf.
She wrote: 'Hi everyone, it’s Emily (Amanda’s daughter). She has seen and is grateful for your messages but can’t respond - the grief is too personal and private. Thank you for understanding. E x'
Opening up on the pain of losing her friend, whom she worked with for a decade on New Tricks, Amanda told The Mirror: 'It knocked me sideways, no one knew he was ill to that extent. His wife phoned me, it was incredibly difficult. I was very lucky because my daughter was staying with me at that point. So thank god she was there.'
Hard: Two months after his passing, Amanda, 64, Dennis' long time friend of 40 years admitted she's struggled to come to terms with his death as she said: 'I don’t really accept he’s not here anymore' (pictured in 2020)
She went on to say that the day after Dennis' death, she attended a memorial service following the death of another friend, telling how it was 'a tricky weekend'.
The actress went on to recall 'wonderful, wonderful memories' with Dennis, including all-night karaoke sessions they had alongside their partners, adding that it was 'great fun' and her pal had a 'strong presence.'
She shared: 'He was a very shy man, but amongst people that he knew very well he just was so charismatic and the life and soul of the party. I don’t really accept he’s not here anymore.'
Tragic: The legendary TV actor died in May at the age of 74 following a secret two-year battle with lung cancer
Friends: Amanda starred alongside Waterman in the long-running BBC police drama for 10 years, as Sandra Pullman, detective superintendent to his hero Gerry Standing
In a heartwarming tribute to the actor, she continued: 'Dennis was, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the loveliest men I have ever known in my life. He was incredibly kind and incredibly generous. He was a gentleman through and through. And not just a wonderful friend, but also a fantastic colleague as well – to everybody.'
The TV star added that Dennis was 'great to everyone', remarking that he was a 'team player' and a 'top bloke'.
In the interview, Amanda looked back on the 'close-knit' friendship she shared with Dennis as well as their other co-stars James Bolam and Alun Armstrong, all of whom she worked with from 2003.
Tribute: 'Dennis was, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the loveliest men I have ever known in my life. He was incredibly kind and incredibly generous'
The beauty starred alongside them and Waterman in the long-running BBC police drama as Sandra Pullman, detective superintendent to his hero Gerry Standing.
She noted how they were all 'so close' and 'never agued', agreeing with each other about everything and 'laughed everyday'.
Sharing more about their deep bond, she told how a day never went by without them 'in stitches', adding that it was 'joyous' and that the foursome were 'kindred spirits.'
Bond: In the interview, Amanda looked back on the 'close-knit' friendship she shared with Dennis as well as their other co-stars James Bolam and Alun Armstrong, all of whom she worked with from 2003 (L-R James, Alun, Amanda, Dennis)
In a statement in May, Dennis' family said he died in Spain with his wife Pam at his side.
They stated: 'We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully at his home in Spain. The family kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.'
Waterman is survived by his wife, Pam, and two daughters, Julia and Hannah, who were born following his marriage to actress Patricia Maynard.
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