Attenborough speaks about Boxing Day grief

Sir Richard Attenborough has spoken of how he no longer feels able to celebrate Christmas, since the deaths of his daughter and granddaughter. The vetern actor's daughter Jane died at the age of 49 with her daughter Lucy, who was 15, in the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.

Jane's mother in law Jane Holland also died in the giant waves which devastated the coast of Thailand three years ago. They had been holidaying at Phuket.

Lord Attenborough, 84, has never spoken publicly before about the deaths. He says he had previously celebrated a close family Christmas, but, since the tsunami, has stopped doing so. He said: "People ask, 'Does it get any better?' But it doesn't."

This year, Lord Attenborough, who has enjoyed a highly-celebrated career as an actor and director for six decades, will travel with his wife Sheila Simm to the Isle of Bute in Scotland. Rather than celebrate, the pair will grieve. ·