The son of legendary England cricketer Graham Thorpe has movingly revealed how England football manager Gareth Southgate provided vital support and guidance following his father's tragic suicide. Henry Thorpe, in a candid interview with the Telegraph, detailed the profound personal impact of his father's death and the unexpected lifeline offered by Southgate.
A Tragic Loss and Its Aftermath
Graham Thorpe, the celebrated England batsman, took his own life in August 2024 at the age of 55. He is survived by his second wife Amanda, whom he married in 2007, and his four children: Henry, Amelia, Kitty, and Emma. Thorpe had separated from his first wife Nicola in 2001. His death occurred two-and-a-half years after he was dismissed from his role as England assistant coach, a decision that, according to coroner Jonathan Stevens at the inquest, had a devastating effect as Thorpe felt he had lost his cricket family.
The Dismissal and Mental Health Struggles
Thorpe's dismissal followed a disastrous Ashes tour in Australia, where England lost the Covid-affected series 4-0. Prior to the tour, Thorpe had been undergoing health treatment for 18 months. The England and Wales Cricket Board provided 10 online counselling sessions after his sacking. In May 2022, three months after being sacked, Thorpe attempted to take his own life, resulting in brain injuries that left him in intensive care for a fortnight.
Henry Thorpe admitted he was unaware of the full circumstances surrounding his father's death until about six months afterwards, describing how he spiralled into a dark place emotionally. He revealed he left his job at M&C Saatchi Merlin, a company founded and chaired by ECB chairman Richard Thompson, after his father's death. Henry praised Thompson's support and after-care, which inspired him to pursue cricket coaching roles and businesses.
Southgate's Unexpected Intervention
Henry detailed how Gareth Southgate became an influential figure in his recovery. After seeing Southgate at an England Test match at the Oval last summer, Henry sent him a message on LinkedIn, not expecting a response. Southgate replied with a 500-word email, offering advice, sharing his phone number, and connecting Henry with other supportive contacts.
Henry told the Telegraph: Gareth was at my dad's day at the Oval last summer. I wasn't having a great day, to be honest, it was a really tough day. I really wanted to talk to him but it just wasn't right. I was on edge. He wrote me an email of about 500 words. He was so kind in sharing his number and linking me up with other people that I've connected with since. From a leadership and a transformational culture perspective, he is a genuine hero of mine.
A Fractured Relationship and Reconnection
Henry admitted his relationship with his father had been fractured at times, largely due to his parents' divorce. Thorpe's work in cricket and move to Australia with his second wife Amanda meant they lacked a consistent relationship. However, they reconnected during Henry's gap year in 2019, leading to a golden period in their relationship prior to the 2021-22 Ashes.
Henry reflected: We had a conversation. I said: 'I'm a young man now and I need to understand different perspectives.' I also need to be better at information gathering. And take more accountability for my own life, my own relationships. So that's what kicked it all off positively. For a whole 12 months before he got unwell, me and Dad would walk his dog in Esher Woods and talk about batting. It was brilliant, and then he went on that tour to Australia.
Family Criticism of ECB Support
Thorpe's wife Amanda has been critical of the ECB's support, stating that while they asked for more help after the initial counselling sessions, it never arrived. She told talkSPORT: As he went through these sessions, it was clear that he wasn't coping. He was getting worse. We really did ask for help. I knew he needed more help than that. And it wasn't forthcoming.
Amanda added that the ECB offered Thorpe a potential role later in 2022, but it was too late after his health crisis. She questioned the lack of connection between the ECB and Thorpe's doctors, despite confidentiality concerns.
ECB Response and Legacy
An ECB spokesperson described Thorpe as a deeply admired and much-loved person, stating: His loss has been felt deeply across the cricketing community and far beyond, and our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with his wife Amanda, his children, and all those who loved him. Graham's passing is a heart-breaking reminder of the challenges many face with mental health.
Henry Thorpe is now involved in the Thorpey's Bat and Chat project, a wellbeing programme that combines cricket sessions at the Oval with discussions about mental health. He expressed mixed emotions about his father's legacy: No one ever prepares you for death, no one ever prepares you for your dad to die. No one ever prepares you for a suicide death. No one ever prepares you for your dad to be Graham Thorpe and to die like that. At different phases of your life you wish you had done it all differently. All these feelings that it can create within you; anger, resentment and sadness. Also just genuine pride that my dad was who he was.
