Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite has opened up about contemplating suicide, revealing that last October he bought a rope and went into woods, but a phone call from his husband brought him home.
The 37-year-old baker, who competed on the BBC contest in 2021, shared the admission in a series of Instagram photos for Suicide Prevention Month. The carousel began with a photo of him on a hilltop with his arms raised, captioned: "It's suicide prevention month, and I want to tell you why I'm still here."
Heartbreaking admission
Against the backdrop of clouds, 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."
Alongside a photo of him kissing his husband Paul Atkins' cheek, John added: "I did. Then I told my sister, and she took the rope out of my car and put it in hers."
Finding joy in the darkest day
On the next slide, featuring a photo of his nephew, he recalled: "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."
He continued: "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."
Message to followers
Addressing his 315K followers, he added: "If you're thinking of ending your life, please tell very plainly, 'I'm not safe on my own.'"
John continued in the captions: "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."
He added: "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 available day and night on 116 123, and CALM Zone on 0800585858. He advised calling 999 if in immediate danger.
The 2012 Great British Bake Off champion received an outpouring of support from fans in the comments. 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 host Jayne Sharp said: "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 added: "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 fan encouraged: "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."
When life is difficult, Samaritans are available day or night, 365 days a year, free on 116 123 or at samaritans.org.
