Hugh Grant opens up about his mother's death

Hollywood hunk Hugh Grant has opened up about losing his mom, Fynvola  - as the star lends his support to this year's Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal.

The 'Love Actually' star - who usually shies away from revealing details of his personal life - lost his mother to pancreatic cancer in 2001.

Hugh's mom spent her final days in the care of Marie Curie nurses - people the actor regards as "angels" - and thanks them for allowing his mom her final wish - to die at home.

"Mum was determined to die... at home," Hugh, 47, recalls. "It simply wouldn't have been possible without [the nurses].

"She had her family there and it was pain-free and she was able to nag us up to the last moment about exactly which Bach Reqiem she wanted for the funeral," Hugh tenderly adds.

"It can be very depressing to see someone die in a hospital bed," says Hugh - who says nurses make a difficult and emotional situation easier for everyone. "If you have everyone around you making jokes, laughing as far as they can, having a cosy time - that's really what you need.

Hugh, who describes his beloved mother as "the most important woman in the world to me", says her death left him distraught - and he was forced to temporarily put his career on hold.

Recalling his mom's taste in television, Hugh adds: "We always teased mum about her love of weepy TV disease dramas.

"She liked nothing better than someone dying bravely on the telly.

"If anyone knew the procedures - and above all how to be especially marverllous and brae - it was Mum. And I have to say, she was."