Former Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati has published a book on her mother's dementia, saying she used it as a way for the family to cope.
Known for her portrayal of Sunita Alahan on Coronation Street, the actress joined the Loose Women panel to discuss her new book. Documenting her mother's battle with dementia, Shobna wanted to portray a realistic version of the illness from multiple angles.
She said she's been struggling with her mother's illness and the book was a way to help the family cope with it. The family apparently knew nothing at all about the creation of the book until it was published and the topic of dementia, in general, was very rarely discussed.
READ MORE: Stacey Solomon emotional as she shares news about son ahead of wedding
The former Dinnerladies actress said: "She didn't want to admit her mental illness at all. She thought the word dementia was weaponised in a way that meant she was demented and mad but there are a lot of words, around women specifically, like that like hysteria. That kind of word really upset her and I can see why."
She added: "That's why I wrote the book. It's about raising awareness about how dementia affects all of us and I wanted to see if my story would resonate with others."
Shobna also ran a blog where she initially wrote about her mother's dementia which was the driving force behind the book being picked up. She said: "I wrote [the blog] and it was on Twitter and a young man spotted it and he worked at Octopus [Publishing] and everyone can bring an author to a table and he brought me.
"In order to write this I had to write about both of us and if it wasn't for her I wouldn't have this life at all and without her I wouldn't be an actor."
READ NEXT
ITV Coronation Street fans rally round Jude Riordan after career announcement
Paddy McGuinness pleads with Jamie Redknapp for help with kids
Message to Tesco, Asda, BP, Shell and Texaco customers filling up fuel in two weeks
Emmerdale's Isabel Hodgins swoons as she enjoys relaxing day with 'my love' co-star
DWP Universal Credit, PIP and other benefit claimants set to see pay increase
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
