Sair Khan, who stars in Coronation Street as Alya Nazir, has opened up about losing her mother on the show Sink or Swim.
The Channel 4 programme sees celebrities attempt to swim the channel, and Sair used it as a way to deal with the anxiety she’s had to deal with since her mother passed away.
After the show aired, the actor took to Instagram to open up about her loss, and pay tribute to her mum.
Alongside pictures of her late mother, Sair wrote: ‘My Mum died. It’s so hard for me to say those words without getting a lump in my throat.
‘Let me tell you a thing or two about the lady I called Mama. She was strong and fierce and a little bit sassy. You definitely wouldn’t mess with her. In primary school I desperately wanted my independence, the last thing I wanted was my mother walking me to school.
‘I fought and argued with her and sometimes she let me set off alone and although I hardly ever looked back I always knew she was just a few steps behind me. The protective lioness who would never let me come to harm. Beneath her toughness there was a love so pure. I didn’t admit it but I was scared and so thankful for her watching over me, I know she still is. 💫’.
‘This year I have felt a loss so profound that my whole body has ached. I’ve cried enough tears to fill the English Channel. I’ve felt raw pain and i know I’m not the only one. I stand in solidarity with all of you who have lost a parent, a friend, or anyone that has shaped you into the person you are today.’
The soap star goes on to say that while her mum not dying of cancer, she’s thankful to be able to raise money for Stand up to Cancer.
Opening up about how the experience helped her deal with her grief, Sair added: ‘I’ve learnt to swim but I’m still learning to heal. Grief is a suspicious thing but the last two months of swimming have been a much needed release.
‘If you’re a non-swimmer and our show has sparked an interest then I encourage you to safely explore your curiosity because there are loved ones watching over us making sure we’re safe.’
