Ruby Rose devastated by godfather's death

Aussie designer and TV star Ruby Rose has revealed that she is very sad about the recent death of her godfather.

62-year-old boxing legend Lionel Rose, who was the first Indigenous Australian to ever win a world bantamweight title, passed away on May 8 after a long illness.

Ruby told The Daily Telegraph that her mother has been "great" helping her deal with Lionel's death, saying: "I've just spent time with mum reflecting on Lionel's life."

The star revealed that she hasn't "stopped working" since his passing because she "deals with things better when [she's] busy", but said that she is going on holiday to Bali for a few days, where the news will "probably hit" her more.

Rose said of Lionel: "[He taught] me how to box... it was more him having the time of day to do that. And he also tried to teach me the electric guitar. I think it was more knowing his story that really has given me the strength to do, you know, anything.

"I credit him a lot for my success and my strength. We'd have a little bit of a sparring match, and he'd tell me that I should be a boxer because I was really quick, and then he played electric guitar and he sort of convinced me that I should be a rock star over a boxer."

Rose has caused controversy over the past 12 months, both for accusing Twilight star Kristen Stewart of being a "lesbian" and for her public Twitter argument with former Talkin' About My Generation co-star Josh Thomas.