Monica Dolan on This Morning
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Sherwood star Monica Dolan on heartbreaking family losses: ‘My mum’s outlived two of her children’

'She's just so strong'

Sherwood star Monica Dolan previously revealed two deaths her family suffered and admitted she felt “so sorry” for her mum.

The BAFTA-winning actress’ career has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to her role on ITV smash Mr Bates vs The Post Office. As well as that, Monica has appeared in the likes of Sherwood – which is on tonight (September 1).

However, in 2020, Monica opened up about her personal life in a rare, albeit heartbreaking, update.

Monica Dolan as Jo Hamilton in Mr Bates Vs The Post Office
The Mr Bates Vs The Post Office star recalled her heartbreak (Credit: ITV1)

Sherwood star Monica Dolan on death of her siblings

Growing up in Middlesbrough, Monica had two sisters and one brother. However, sadly two of her siblings died.

Her sister passed away due to cancer in 2008 and her brother to Covid 12 years later.

I really, really feel for my mum, because she’s outlived two of her children.

Speaking about losing her brother who was just 56, she told The Guardian in 2020: “It was Covid and pneumonia.”

Monica Dolan praises ‘incredible’ mum

Monica went on to praise her mom as being “so strong” as she has “outlived two of her children”.

“I really, really feel for my mum, because she’s outlived two of her children. She’s 86, and she’s absolutely incredible. She’s just so strong. I can’t imagine many people coping with it,” the Sherwood star said.

The actress revealed it was a ‘really hard’ time (Credit: BBC)

Sherwood star Monica Dolan on the loss of brother

Speaking about her grief, Monica continued: “I think that what I find quite difficult is that it’s my brother, and it’s intensely personal, and I love him so much. And at the same time his death suddenly becomes part of a wider global narrative, and I don’t know how I feel about that, really. I’m sure a lot of people are feeling like that.”

Monica reveals last time she saw her brother

While speaking to Metro in 2022, Monica also opened up about how it was “really hard” when he brother passed away.

“I lost my brother Paul [to Covid] right at the beginning of it and I wasn’t able to see him because of lockdown,” she shared.

Monica went on: “The last I saw of him was on my mum’s birthday on March 3 and he died on Good Friday.”

Watch Monica on Sherwood at 9:00pm on BBC One on Sunday (September 1).

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Read more: Sherwood series 2: 6 burning questions that need answers after this weekend’s explosive opening episodes

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Joey Crutchley
Freelance Writer