The actress went on to say she had something “personal” to share with viewers.
Maureen continued: “I’m going to share something quite personal, which is that Rose was shown on Wednesday night and on Thursday, as I watched my beloved partner Guido passing away, my phone pinged incessantly with people saying congratulations.
“So, never were the masks of tragedy and the masks of comedy more relevant.
Maureen Lipman s partner Guido died after a battle with coronavirus (Image: GETTY)
Maureen Lipman said she is scared to go back to the theatre (Image: SKYARTS)
“And in the light of that, I really want to say thank you to the Offies because you have really cheered me up.”