Jason Watkins shares most heartbreaking time for him and wife after daughter's death

Jason Watkins has opened up about the most heartbreaking time of the year for him and his wife following the tragic death of their daughter 13 years ago.

In 2011, the McDonald and Dodds star and his wife, fashion designer Clara Francis, sadly lost their daughter, two-year-old Maude, to sepsis, which is a life-threatening reaction to an infection.

The EastEnders and Line of Duty actor, who has two children with Clara and two sons from his first marriage, this week spoke to Times Magazine about the one day that he and his wife find particularly difficult.

Jason said: "My daughter died on New Year’s Day, so that’s always a really difficult time. People are celebrating, so it’s tricky. We have a bench on Hampstead Heath, where she used to go. All our friends meet up and walk there each year."

Earlier in the interview, Jason spoke about the physical effects of bereavement. He explained that the "ache of loss" could be felt as a "pain in your chest".

The Crown actor detailed how the "difficult things" eventually "lessen" over time and how he was able to "accommodate" the loss "somewhere" within him.

One of the ways Jason and Clara have commemorated Maude's memory is with tattoos. Jason told the publication that they both decided to get one after they woke up on the same day with the idea.

In January, the 61-year-old shared a tribute to Maude, posting a video of his daughter singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'. He explained in the caption how the family still had the table featured in the clip.

He wrote: "We still have this table - in the middle of the kitchen. I’ll go and sit at this end in a moment or two. 13yrs ago today, we lost you Maudie.

"We can still hear you - you are still with us. Keep singing #OverTheRainbow ⁦@cbukhelp⁩ ⁦@UKSepsisTrust @slowsupport."

The post sparked an outpouring of comments from his thousands of followers, who offered their condolences on the anniversary of Maude's death.

One person wrote: "Sending you, Clara and the whole family so much love. Maude really is the brightest star in the sky."

A second said: "What an absolute precious, gorgeous little girl. Raising awareness wherever I can."

Sepsis occurs when an individual's immune system overreacts to an infection and damages the tissues and organs, according to the NHS. There are many possible symptoms, and they can even be similar to those of flu or a chest infection.

Jason and Clara were left devastated when their daughter, Bessie, discovered her sister dead in her cot.

Maude had been suffering from a sore throat and a temperature, and her parents had taken her to the doctor, followed by the hospital.

The next day, Maude was floppy and pale, so they rushed her back to hospital, but she was discharged after receiving a diagnosis of croup, but heartbreakingly, she died the following day.

To learn more about sepsis, visit the website here.