Just days after being arrested for drunken behaviour, Jonathan Rhys Meyers was spotted drinking a can of cider on the street at 10am yesterday morning after finding out his mother had died.

Geraldine Meyers O’Keeffe, known as Geri, is said to have been in poor health for some time but her death at a hospital in Cork around 7am yesterday morning is said to have been sudden and unexpected.

The Tudors star, who spent time in rehab earlier this year for alcohol-abuse treatment, was spotted drinking the extra-strong cider as he walked from the shop to his home in North London.

A source close to the family revealed: “She and Jonathan were very close. He must be devastated and thinks this is the only way to deal with it.”

A friend of Geri’s told the Daily Mail: “I saw her last week and she was in great form.”

“I know she was ill in February but she pulled through that. We just cannot believe she is gone. She was a lovely women.

“She was extremely proud of Jonathan. She used to tell us she knew from the time he was born that he was destined for great things.”