‘I'VE HAD QUITE A TERRIBLE YEAR'

ACTRESS SHOBNA GULATI OPENS UP ABOUT ENDURING CHALLENGING TIMES AND STAYING STRONG THROUGH HER BATTLE WITH CORONAVIRUS

- KAT ROMERO

If it feels like Shobna Gulati has been less visible on TV lately, despite a recent stint in Doctor Who, it’s because she’s been busy with theatre work for three years. The former Coronation Street favourite also nursed her mother Asha through dementia from 2016 to last November, when she died aged 79.

Now, Shobna’s written a deeply personal memoir about her life and her mother’s illness. And she admits the writing process was a welcome distraction when she fell ill with coronavirus in March.

The star, who first found fame in BBC sitcom Dinnerladies, also opens up about the hurt she felt after her marriage to architect Anshu Srivastava fell apart in 1994 and she became a single mum to their son Akshay, born in 1995. But she reveals her love life is back on track as she’s been dating a mystery new man.

Here, the 54-year-old talks to OK! about the emotional journey she’s been on and how the coronavirus has taught her to not plan too far ahead…

Shobna, you’ve had a tough time lately and we’re sorry to hear of the loss of your mum...