Doris Day's grandson was 'cut off' from seeing her in her final years by manager

Doris Day with her grandson.Image: Paul Harris/Getty Images

It's been just days since the world said farewell to screen legend Doris Day.

But now, her grandson Ryan Melcher has spoken out about the final years of her life.

Melcher has revealed he was banned from seeing Day over the past few years by her manager - and he only found out about her death on the news and through social media.

"With so many stories reporting on her illustrious life and career, I wanted to share the following in the hopes that other families who have / or who are currently going through what we have will use this as a wake-up call to re-connect, communicate and tell those around them what they mean to them before it’s too late," Melcher said in a statement on Facebook.

"Sadly, due to a divorce that I was thrown into the middle of while still an underaged child, I have not been allowed to see my grandmother for quite some time.

"When I was invited by Doris to dinner a few years ago after my father’s untimely death in November 2004 (melanoma), her new business manager, a former fan, intervened and asked me to meet him at the family owned Cypress Inn here in Carmel, California.

"I was asked by this man: "Why do you want to see Doris?"

"I was shocked not only at the question, but also that it was coming from someone who was a stranger and outsider.

"I just responded, "um....she is my grandmother!"

"He replied, "I'm afraid you aren't going to be able to see your grandmother," citing the divorce between my parents as his excuse.

"Looking back, I should have said more; should have drove to her home and not let a stranger come between us, but unfortunately the tall fences and 24-hour guard under her new business manager's direction prevented me taking a stand and reconnecting with my family.

"She had been so happy to talk to me and we were both excited for our upcoming dinner together just a week before, and this man was clearly manipulating the situation.

"I later learned that the business manager had fired all the longstanding members on my grandma's Foundation board and appointed his direct family as the new board members. It seemed I was not the only one who had been cut out."

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Doris Day's grandson was 'cut off' from seeing her in her final years by manager