Graham Thorpe attempted to take his own life in 2022 while battling “depression and anxiety”, his grieving wife has revealed.
Yesterday, his wife Amanda spoke out about the batsman’s struggles with his mental health, saying he had been living with “major depression and anxiety” for the past few years.
She bravely recounted how at times her husband’s condition was “very serious” and that a “serious attempt on his life” two years ago “resulted in a prolonged stay in an intensive care unit.”
The cricket legend died earlier this month on August 4, aged 55, after being hit by a train near his home in Surrey.
The widow said she had been feeling so unwell recently that she believed her family would be better off without him, saying: “We are devastated by his actions and that he took his own life.”
The heartbroken family have been widely praised for their “incredible strength” and courage in revealing the man had taken his own life in the hope it might encourage others struggling to reach out for help.
Graham Thorpe attempted to take his own life in 2022 as he battled ‘depression and anxiety’, his grieving wife Amanda (pictured) has revealed
The Surrey left-handed batsman was a talisman for England and a hero to many who grew up watching cricket in the 1990s (pictured in March 2002 after hitting a double century in a Test match against New Zealand).
Thorpe with his wife Amanda, their two daughters Kitty, now 22, and Emma, now 19, and his parents at the Wrecclesham village fair in Surrey in 2016
Talking with The times She said: ‘Despite glimmers of hope and old Graham, he continued to suffer from depression and anxiety, which at times became very severe.
‘We supported him as a family and he tried many, many treatments, but unfortunately none of them seemed to work.
‘Graham was known to be a very mentally strong person on the field and he was physically healthy. But mental illness is a real illness and can affect anyone. Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better.’
The Surrey left-handed batsman was a talisman for England and a hero to many who grew up watching cricket in the 1990s.
An inquest into his death opens in Woking today.
His wife Amanda confirmed that the father of four had previously attempted suicide in May 2022, but despite being seriously ill in hospital he recovered.
The following month, Ben Stokes wore a shirt bearing Thorpe’s name and number 564 before his first Test as permanent captain against New Zealand at Lord’s.
Other tributes from the sport came from those he played with, alongside, against or coached after his second wife and daughters Kitty, 22, and Emma, 19, revealed he had suffered from mental health problems for some time.
Graham Thorpe’s family praised for speaking out about mental health after his death
The former England batsman took his own life on August 4 after battling depression.
Sam Billings praised the “incredible strength” shown by Thorpe’s family following his death
His former England manager David Lloyd said: “News of how Graham’s life ended only adds to the sense of sadness. He was a troubled soul.”
“As a player, he was revered by his peers and was a great cricketer, able to adapt to any situation. For these reasons, he was a cricketer’s cricketer.”
Sam Billings, who worked under Thorpe as an England player, added: “It’s heartbreaking. I’m thinking of Amanda, Kitty and Emma. It’s an incredible force to be talking about this and spreading awareness. Thorpey, you will be sorely missed, mate. I can’t thank you enough for the influence and impact you had on me.”
Darren Lehmann, an Australian opponent of Thorpe during his 100-Test career, sent a message from Australia: “Thank you for sharing your story with the Thorpe family. I hope it helps other people. He was a wonderful man and mental illness is real and comes in many different forms.”
His two daughters revealed that he rarely spoke about his legendary status as an athlete (they were told he “hit the ball a bit”) and how much he loved his family and that he “would get up and dance anywhere and to anything.”
Her legacy will be a foundation in her memory, and Kitty said: “We are not ashamed to talk about it. There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma.”
Ben Stokes donned a shirt bearing Thorpe’s name and cap number ahead of England’s Test match against New Zealand.
England batting coach Graham Thorpe and Joe Root on August 20, 2019
Graham Thorpe with his first wife Nicola and eldest son Henry at Heathrow Airport after returning from England’s tour of New Zealand in 1997
Graham Gooch showers Graham Thorpe with champagne after his century on debut against Australia
English legend Graham Thorpe took his own life, his family reveals
England’s Graham Thorpe (right) and Alec Stewart walk off the field with their helmets, gloves and bats after registering a partnership of 150 on day four of the second Test match against Zimbabwe.
Samaritans chief executive Julie Bentley echoed those sentiments when she said: ‘Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and sadly we know that one in five people will struggle with suicidal thoughts in their lives, but many people face this struggle in silence.
‘It’s so important to have open and honest conversations about suicide because we know it can save lives.
‘Talking openly can help break the stigma surrounding the topic and can encourage people struggling to get the vital support they need.’
For confidential assistance call Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org
