In a raw and emotional revelation that has sent shockwaves through the football world, former Wales captain Craig Bellamy has spoken of the haunting regret he carries for missing one final phone call from his manager and close friend, Gary Speed.
The poignant confession forms the centrepiece of a powerful new BBC documentary, Craig Bellamy: Mental Health and Me, where the ex-Liverpool and Manchester City star lays bare his grief following Speed's tragic death in 2011.
A Call That Will Forever Haunt Him
Bellamy recounts the devastating moment he realised he had missed a call from Speed just days before the Wales manager was found dead. "I had a missed call from Speedo," Bellamy reveals, his voice heavy with emotion. "It will always stay with me. I'd have loved to have heard his voice. I'd have loved to have known what he was thinking at that time."
The former Newcastle and Bolton midfielder describes Speed not just as a manager, but as one of his closest confidants and a true mentor, making the unanswered call a source of enduring pain.
A Bond Forged on and Off the Pitch
The documentary explores the profound connection between the two football icons, tracing their relationship from teammates to a manager-captain partnership that was revitalising Welsh football. Bellamy credits Speed with transforming the national team's culture and giving him a renewed sense of pride in representing his country.
His untimely death at the age of 42 left Bellamy and the entire football community reeling, sparking a long and difficult journey with grief and mental health struggles that the former professional is only now fully addressing.
A Candid Look at Grief and Recovery
Beyond the personal tragedy, Bellamy's documentary serves as a crucial conversation starter about mental health in the high-pressure world of professional sport. He speaks with startling honesty about the darkness that followed Speed's passing and the importance of seeking help.
Craig Bellamy: Mental Health and Me airs on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer, offering an unflinchingly honest portrait of loss, regret, and the long road to healing for one of football's most recognisable figures.
