“Well worth a listen. What a lovely man.”
Jamie Dornan had fans in tears after his emotional appearance on Desert Island Discs, where the star struggled to keep it together while discussing his mother’s passing.
The Irish actor appeared on the popular BBC Radio 4 show, hosted by Lauren Laverne, on Sunday, January 28, where he discussed several topics including the “ridicule” he faced after starring in the Fifty Shades films.
Dornan received particular praise for opening up to Laverne about how he handled the grief from losing his mother when he was young and the support that his father gave him throughout.
Jamie Dornan leaves people in tears during Desert Island Discs
Dornan, who was brought up in Belfast, was just 16 when his mother passed away and said that the support of his father and sisters helped him through that difficult time.
“Both my sisters are amazing people and I definitely felt that love and support.
“My dad, I remember [him] saying ‘you know you can’t let this be the thing that defines us’, and I’m really grateful for those words.
“It was like [he was] trying to say you can live a fulfilled and positive and happy life still. Now that doesn’t lessen the impact of losing mum or anything but I guess it was… Dad sort of giving us the OK, like it’s OK to see happiness in your future.”
While discussing his mother’s death, Dornan can be heard fighting back tears and was clearly very emotional throughout the discussion.
The Tourist star also said that his father Jim, who passed away during the pandemic, was very frank with telling him about his mother’s terminal illness.
“I am sort of thankful it was told to me straight like that,” he said.
“It’s a funny thing. I sometimes feel guilty saying this, but there’s a lot I don’t remember about her. You are not expecting any of that to be taken away.”
Fans were struggling to hold it together listening to the emotional episode, with one listener commenting, “How did you hold it together Lauren Laverne? Jamie Dornan’s Desert Island Discs has broken me.”
Another said: “Just when I thought I couldn’t love Jamie Dornan any more I listen to his Desert Island Discs and … well you know the rest. Well worth a listen. What a lovely man.”
A third added, “Absolutely loved Jamie Dornan on Desert Island Discs this morning. Great music choices, and incredibly moving listening to him talk about the loss of his mum as a teenager and his dad from covid. Very emotional.”
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