British actress Rachael Stirling has broken her silence after media coverage compared her to a cannibal, following her admission that she ate some of the ashes of her mother, Diana Rigg, who died in 2020.

Stirlng called it a personal tribute and said she was unprepared for the reaction it would draw.

The comparison caught public attention after Stirling opened up about the private gesture she made following her mother's death.

She stressed that the act was a private form of mourning and not something she felt required justification.

Diana Rigg was a hugely admired actress, recognised for her roles in The Avengers and Game of Thrones.

Rigg's standing as a cultural icon remains strong, and Stirling has long spoken warmly about her influence.

Stirlng is also scheduled to attend at an upcoming event in Tisbury.