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 had not expected the reaction it would draw.

The comparison caught public attention after Stirling shared details of the private gesture she made following her mother's death.

She emphasised that the act was an intimate farewell and not something she felt warranted criticism.

Diana Rigg was one of Britain's most celebrated actress, remembered for her roles in The Avengers and Game of Thrones.

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

Stirlng is also set to appear at an upcoming event in Tisbury.