SAD NEWS: Strictly star shares heartbreaking reason he ‘bought a rope to end everything’
Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite has bravely opened up about his mental health struggles and shared a heartbreaking admission about his battle with suicidal thoughts
Strictly Come Dancing favourite John Whaite has made a devastating confession about his mental health battles, courageously revealing he once considered taking his own life.
The celebrity baker, who appeared on the BBC programme in 2021, received an outpouring of support from followers after sharing a series of images with accompanying text detailing his harrowing ordeal for Suicide Prevention Month. The 37-year-old began the post with a picture of himself triumphantly standing on the top of a hill with his arms stretched skyward in celebration. The caption read: “It’s suicide prevention month, and I want to tell you why I’m still here.”
He wrote: “Last October, I bought a rope to end everything. I went into the woods. While I was there, my husband called and asked me to please come home.”
John was partnered with Johannes on Strictly(Image: BBC)
Accompanied by an image of him tenderly kissing his husband Paul Atkins on the cheek, John continued: “I did. Then I told my sister, and she took the rope out of my car and put it in hers.”
The following slide, showing a photograph of his nephew, revealed: “The next day my nephew found the rope and used it to make a swing. I still think about the joy he found in something I had carried on the darkest day of my life”.
“One call didn’t fix everything but it got me home. Telling my sister got me through the next day and I’m grateful I stayed to see it.”
Speaking directly to his 315K followers, he urged: “If you’re thinking of ending your life, please tell very plainly, ‘I’m not safe on my own.'” John expanded on this message in the captions, writing: “I’ll never stop talking openly about suicide. Silence can make people feel completely alone, and if sharing my story helps even one person tell someone they’re struggling, then that matters.
“If you’re thinking about ending your life, please tell someone very plainly. Ask them to stay with you. You deserve help through this moment.
“In the UK, Samaritans are there day and night on 116 123. @calmzone are also available on 0800585858. And if you feel you are in immediate danger, please call 999.”
The 2012 Great British Bake Off winner was flooded with messages of support from thousands of followers who flocked to the comments section with heartfelt words and admiration for John’s courage in highlighting the issue.
Friends shared their support to John (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
One wrote: “The world absolutely needs you John, keep staying, thank you for sharing your story – it will truly help so many people who don’t know where to turn right now. I’m sending you lots of love.”
ITV presenter Jayne Sharp commented: “Oh John, darling. Thank you for sharing. Sending you so much love, you beautiful human. I’m so happy you’re here.”
BBC Radio 1’s Zoe Ball wrote: “You stayed, John. And you are so loved. Brave and important to share your story. You will help so many more folk. Always love.”
Another supporter urged: “This is why your voice matters. Not because you have the answers but because you are willing to speak openly and honestly about something so many cannot put into words. If this helps just one person feel less alone then every difficult conversation is worth having.”
