Richard E Grant 'overcome with emotion' as Barbra Streisand responds to letter he wrote her 47 years ago

Richard E Grant was left “overcome with emotion” after Barbra Streisand replied to a letter he wrote 47 years ago.

Oscar-nominated Grant wrote to the Woman In Love singer when he was just 14, offering her a holiday at his “very beautiful” home in Swaziland so she can “rest and not be mobbed in the street”.

Grant shared the letter on his social media earlier this week as he snapped selfies outside Streisand’s home – having sought permission from her security guards.

And he was reduced to tears when he received a response from Streisand herself, who thanked him for the “wonderful letter” he wrote when he was a teen and congratulated him on his latest movie.

Alongside three pictures of himself looking overwhelmed, Grant wrote: “My pal Nicole Wilcox took this photo as my daughter read me @BarbraStreisand ‘s tweet/response to a letter I sent her 47 yrs ago.

“Am completely crinkle faced & overcome with emotion. My ‘Message in a bottle’ miracle,” he added with a series of emojis.

In his letter, a young Grant, now 61, told Streisand that he and his family had been “avid fans” since seeing her on the big screen in Funny Girl and had all her records.

He wrote: “I read in the paper that you were feeling very tired and pressurised by your fame and failed romance with Mr Ryan O'Neal. I would like to offer you a two week holiday, or longer, at our house, which is very beautiful with a pool and a magnificent view of the Ezulwini Valley.

“No-one will trouble you and I assure you you will not be mobbed in the street as your films only show in our one cinema for three days, so not that many people will know who you are, so no chance of being mobbed.

"Please consider this respite seriously. You will always be welcome."

An emotional Grant thanked Streisand, 76, for her “generous” response and “not having him arrested” when he had a photoshoot outside her California home.

Accompanied by a series of red hearts, Grant wrote: “I cannot begin to properly express what your generous reply has meant to me! THANK YOU. And most especially for NOT calling Security to have me arrested!”

Earlier this month, Grant was nominated for his first ever Oscar for his role as a supporting actor in Can You Forgive Me?

The actor was similarly emotional with the news, taking to social media to share his delight with his adoring fans.