Kate Beckinsale remembers late dad Richard 42 years after his death

Kate Beckinsale has penned a moving tribute to her dad Richard Beckinsale 42 years after his death, saying she was “never the same again”.

The Porridge and Rising Damp actor died of a heart attack in 1979 at the age of 31.

Kate – who was just five at the time – marked the day by sharing a string of newspaper articles about her father’s death on Instagram.

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“March 19th,1979. And we were never the same again,” wrote the Underworld star.

“Thank you to everyone who has kept him alive in our hearts and on our lips. And love to everyone missing a shining, special person of their own.”

The star added that she wanted to be with her mother, English actor Judy Loe.

“I wish I was with my mum today xxx,” said Kate, who is based in the US.

The 47-year-old also posted a picture of a blue plaque dedicated to her dad, which lists his best known TV shows, his school and where he lived.

She was inundated with messages of support after she posted the moving message, with comedian and actor Sanjeev Bhaskar, writing: "Remember that day clearly but also have remembered & been grateful ever since for his legacy of creating brilliant lasting work and also for creating you, such a top loving friend x."

Loose Women presenter Nadia Sawalha wrote: "Sending so much love. 'Grief is the price we pay for love'. Hugs from me and mine to you and yours x."

Kate often marks milestones such as anniversaries and Father’s Day with touching posts on social media, and has previously told how her dad's death was a “terrible loss”.

Speaking in 2013, she recalled: “It’s so weird as a five-year-old to look out in the street and see people reading the paper and crying while you’re crying and your mum is crying and your granny’s crying.”

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Richard starred as prison inmate Lennie Godber in Porridge, which aired from 1974 to 1977. At the same time he played medical student Alan Moore in the sitcom Rising Damp.

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