Actor Douglas Booth has disclosed that his father died by suicide in May this year. The 33-year-old star of Pride and Prejudice and The Riot Club shared the news on Instagram on what would have been his father's 64th birthday.
In a heartfelt post, Booth included a childhood photograph with his father and a picture of his wife, actress Bel Powley, with him. He wrote: 'On the 4th May this year, my dad tragically took his own life. I’ve struggled to find the words for this loss. There are questions I’ll never have answers to, and I’m slowly learning to live with that. What I do know is that my dad was a gentle, kind, generous man, and he is deeply missed.'
Booth, who is set to star alongside Michelle Keegan in ITV's new drama The Blame, used the post to discuss men's mental health. He said: 'Too many men find themselves isolated, unable to express what they’re going through, or unsure of where to turn.' He added that he has struggled with anxiety himself and believes his father may have had undiagnosed autism.
The actor received an outpouring of support from friends and fans, including singer Pixie Lott and co-star Michelle Keegan. He concluded: 'Losing someone to suicide is a complex grief, and my heart is with anyone who has walked this path.'
