Latest news with #GrahamThorpe
Sky News
4 hours ago
- Health
- Sky News
Cricketer Graham Thorpe asked wife 'to help end his life' before death, inquest hears
Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe asked his wife "to help him end his life" in the weeks before he was struck by a train. Mr Thorpe died on 4 August 2024 at a railway station in Surrey. His widow Amanda Thorpe said he had taken his own life. Mrs Thorpe told an inquest he suffered a "horrible time" and that losing his job as batting coach in 2022 was the "start of the decline of his mental health". Surrey Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday that Mr Thorpe, 55, was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018 and tried to take his own life previously in 2022. Up until 2020, Mrs Thorpe said there were no psychological issues in particular, apart from "a bout of depression" in 2018, but he found lockdown "very difficult". She said an incident involving a leaked video in Australia left him "distraught". Mr Thorpe shared a video with some friends while on tour there, which was leaked, and the incident was "blown out of all proportion", she added. According to reports at the time, the video, filmed after an Ashes series England lost 4-0, showed police breaking up a drinking session with England and Australia players. His father, Geoff Thorpe, said this incident caused "catastrophic damage" to his son and "ultimately he lost his job". He then quickly "spiralled into depression", and became "more and more desperate and helpless in the last year of his life". The coroner, Jonathan Stevens, read a statement from Mr Thorpe's GP Joan Munnelly, detailing the cricketer was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018. An attempt to take his own life in 2022 resulted in a brain injury, Dr Munnelly added, and he was in intensive care. By 2023, Mrs Thorpe said her husband had suicidal thoughts, and after Christmas he was "in a terrible way". The last contact between Mr Thorpe and those overseeing his psychiatric care was in June last year. Mrs Thorpe felt he should have been "assessed properly" - adding in the weeks before his death he told her he "doesn't want to be here anymore" and had "asked me to help him end his life". In May 2022, the England and Wales Cricket Board was advised Mr Thorpe had attempted to take his own life. The board's chief medical officer Professor Nick Pierce said "at no point during Graham's time at ECB had there been any concern regarding a risk of self-harm or intent to end life". The inquest continues.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Graham Thorpe ‘spiralled into depression' after job loss, inquest hears
Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe"spiralled into depression" after losing his coaching role in 2022, an inquest has heard. The 55-year-old died on the morning of 4 August 2024, after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey. His widow, Amanda Thorpe, . An inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court in Woking on Wednesday was told that Mr Thorpe had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018. He had previously attempted to take his own life in 2022. The court heard that an incident involving a leaked video in Australia that same year had left him "distraught". In a statement to the court, Ms Thorpe explained that prior to 2020, there were no significant psychological issues, apart from "a bout of depression" in 2018 which did not impact her husband's job. She added that he "found lockdown and Covid very difficult, very stressful". While on tour in Australia, there was an 'incident involving a video that was taken that had adverse publicity', the court heard. Mr Thorpe shared a video with some friends which was leaked, and the incident was 'blown out of all proportion', leaving Mr Thorpe 'distraught', Ms Thorpe's statement added. According to reports at the time, the video, filmed after a dismal Ashes series which England lost 4-0, showed Tasmanian police breaking up a drinking session involving both England and Australia players. Mrs Thorpe described it as a 'horrible' time. She said the later termination of his employment with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was a 'real shock to Graham', which was the 'start of the decline of his mental health '. Coroner Jonathan Stevens read a statement from Mr Thorpe's GP, Joan Munnelly, who said the cricketer was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018. Dr Munnelly said an attempt to take his own life in 2022 resulted in a brain injury and he was in intensive care afterwards. Mr Thorpe spent time in a private hospital after he was discharged. By 2023, Mr Thorpe had suicidal thoughts, Ms Thorpe said, and after Christmas he was 'in a terrible way'. The last contact between Mr Thorpe and those responsible for his psychiatric care was in June 2024, and Ms Thorpe felt that he should have been 'assessed properly', the court heard. She said in the weeks leading up to his death, her husband told her he 'doesn't want to be here anymore' and had 'asked me to help him end his life'. In a statement, Mr Thorpe's father, Geoff Thorpe, said the video incident had 'caused catastrophic damage to him' and 'ultimately he lost his job', then quickly 'spiralled into depression'. Mr Thorpe became 'more and more desperate and helpless in the last year of his life', he added. Reading Geoff Thorpe's statement, the coroner said: 'You felt those who were responsible for Graham's safety and care could've done more to intervene.' Professor Nick Pierce, the ECB's chief medical officer, said in a statement that after Mr Thorpe's employment ended in February 2022, his private health insurance cover was extended until the May. In May, the cricket board was advised that Mr Thorpe had attempted to take his own life, and Professor Pierce explained that 'at no point during Graham's time at ECB had there been any concern regarding a risk of self-harm or intent to end life'. He added that the cricket board's healthcare trust was approached about helping to cover the costs of treatment for Mr Thorpe at a hospital, and the trustees agreed. Mr Thorpe was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years, first as a batter between 1993 and 2005 before spending 12 years in coaching roles. During a distinguished international career, he struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his country 182 times in all formats. The inquest continues. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you.
Daily Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Graham Thorpe death: England star's wife reveals tragic details
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. England cricket star Graham Thorpe asked his wife to help him end his life in a Swiss clinic before he was hit by a train, an inquest heard. The dad, 55, was found dead on August 4 after a heartbreaking battle with anxiety and depression for several years. His wife Amanda today told an inquest how Thorpe had begged her to help him die when his mental health 'spiralled'. She said: 'The weeks leading up to his death, he told me he doesn't want to be here any more. 'He asked me to help him end his life. 'He said he wants to go to Switzerland. I was in turmoil.' Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe died aged 55 last year. Picture: Getty The Surrey left-hander had previously tried to take his own life in 2022 after losing his coaching job with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Amanda told the court Thorpe had found Covid lockdown 'very difficult' and 'stressful'. His dad Geoff agreed with the statement, saying: 'Everything was fine until Covid.' He said Thorpe was 'not a fella who likes to be cooped up' and also told how his son's life had come 'crashing down' when he lost his job with the ECB. Geoff continued: 'What you've got to realise is sometimes us chaps are a little bit macho – we can cope. 'In fact, we can't.' The inquest was told Thorpe was dismissed from his role following an 'incident' surrounding a viral video. Following his playing career, Thorpe had been involved with the England team in a coaching capacity. Picture: Getty According to reports at the time, the video was filmed after a dismal Ashes series which England lost 4-0. It showed Tasmanian police breaking up a drinking session involving both England and Australia players. The leak of the footage caused Thorpe to be dismissed from ECB and he ended up in hospital for eight weeks due to a suicide attempt in 2022. Assistant coroner Jonathan Stevens said: 'Things continued to go downhill, he was really struggling, had anxiety and insomnia and it was all really dark.' Thorpe made repeated threats to kill himself and by June 2024, he lost interest in food and 'wanted to hide away, totally isolated, in real crisis and despair', the court heard. Graham Thorpe (R) played 100 Tests for England, scoring 16 centuries. Picture: Getty On August 4 that year, he left home and was never seen alive again. Amanda believed he had gone out to walk the dog but saw the pet at home still so tried to call her husband. The court heard she then received a call from Thorpe's dad telling her: 'He's gone'. Amanda added: 'He never really recovered from (his first suicide) attempt. 'He came back from the tour of Australia in a terrible state – lots of things, the video, the environment, the set-up. 'To be sacked after that I think it was foreseeable that it would be really really hard on him.' Thorpe made his international debut in 1993 and scored a century on his first Ashes appearance, becoming the first England player to do so in 20 years. He was an England regular and went on to play 100 Tests, scoring 16 centuries and featuring 82 times for the ODI side, as well as enjoying a 17-year career with Surrey. His final Test appearance came in June 2005 before he was omitted from that summer's victorious Ashes series and called time on his international career. The inquest continues. This story originally appeared in the Sun and has been republished with permission. Originally published as The widow of England cricketer Graham Thorpe reveals tragic details leading up to star's death
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
The widow of England cricketer Graham Thorpe reveals tragic details leading up to star's death
England cricket star Graham Thorpe asked his wife to help him end his life in a Swiss clinic before he was hit by a train, an inquest heard. The dad, 55, was found dead on August 4 after a heartbreaking battle with anxiety and depression for several years. His wife Amanda today told an inquest how Thorpe had begged her to help him die when his mental health 'spiralled'. She said: 'The weeks leading up to his death, he told me he doesn't want to be here any more. 'He asked me to help him end his life. 'He said he wants to go to Switzerland. I was in turmoil.' The Surrey left-hander had previously tried to take his own life in 2022 after losing his coaching job with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Amanda told the court Thorpe had found Covid lockdown 'very difficult' and 'stressful'. His dad Geoff agreed with the statement, saying: 'Everything was fine until Covid.' He said Thorpe was 'not a fella who likes to be cooped up' and also told how his son's life had come 'crashing down' when he lost his job with the ECB. Geoff continued: 'What you've got to realise is sometimes us chaps are a little bit macho – we can cope. 'In fact, we can't.' The inquest was told Thorpe was dismissed from his role following an 'incident' surrounding a viral video. According to reports at the time, the video was filmed after a dismal Ashes series which England lost 4-0. It showed Tasmanian police breaking up a drinking session involving both England and Australia players. The leak of the footage caused Thorpe to be dismissed from ECB and he ended up in hospital for eight weeks due to a suicide attempt in 2022. Assistant coroner Jonathan Stevens said: 'Things continued to go downhill, he was really struggling, had anxiety and insomnia and it was all really dark.' Thorpe made repeated threats to kill himself and by June 2024, he lost interest in food and 'wanted to hide away, totally isolated, in real crisis and despair', the court heard. On August 4 that year, he left home and was never seen alive again. Amanda believed he had gone out to walk the dog but saw the pet at home still so tried to call her husband. The court heard she then received a call from Thorpe's dad telling her: 'He's gone'. Amanda added: 'He never really recovered from (his first suicide) attempt. 'He came back from the tour of Australia in a terrible state – lots of things, the video, the environment, the set-up. 'To be sacked after that I think it was foreseeable that it would be really really hard on him.' Thorpe made his international debut in 1993 and scored a century on his first Ashes appearance, becoming the first England player to do so in 20 years. He was an England regular and went on to play 100 Tests, scoring 16 centuries and featuring 82 times for the ODI side, as well as enjoying a 17-year career with Surrey. His final Test appearance came in June 2005 before he was omitted from that summer's victorious Ashes series and called time on his international career. The inquest continues.
Times
14 hours ago
- Times
Graham Thorpe asked me to help him die, cricketer's wife tells inquest
The former England and Surrey cricketer Graham Thorpe told his wife he 'wanted to go to Switzerland' weeks before his death, an inquest has heard. Thorpe, a father of four, was hit by a train at Esher railway station shortly after 8.30am on August 4 last year. He was 55. Amanda Thorpe, his widow, told Surrey coroner's court: 'The weeks leading up to his death, he told me he doesn't want to be here any more. He asked me to help him end his life. He said he wants to go to Switzerland. I was in turmoil. Then we get a letter for an appointment (with the medical team) in a month's time. 'How ill do you have to be? I just wish he could have been kept safe. If you're not here, there's no hope.' She said Thorpe had attempted to take his own life in 2022, spending three weeks unconscious in hospital. He had been sacked as England batting coach following the team's heavy loss in the Ashes series in Australia that year. 'He came back from the tour of Australia in a terrible state — lots of things, the video, the environment, the set-up,' she said. • A video Thorpe had taken emerged, showing that he was told to return to his hotel room at about 6am by police in Tasmania after contravening local laws by smoking a cigar indoors during a post-series drinking session with players from both teams. It leaked to the media and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) opened an investigation. 'To be sacked after that — I think it was foreseeable that it would be really really hard on him,' Mrs Thorpe said. 'If he hadn't been on that Tour, then he wouldn't be dismissed and that was ultimately what he couldn't deal with.' Mrs Thorpe said her husband was later offered a coaching role by the Afghan national team but was too unwell. 'He tried to do it but he was spiralling down. He signed a contract and I had to tell them he was too unwell to do that job,' she said. By June 2024, Mrs Thorpe said, he 'had no interest in food, he wanted to hide away, totally isolated, in real crisis and despair'. 'He told me he was scared, and I told him I was scared too because I didn't know how to help him,' Mrs Thorpe said. Father questions care Thorpe was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018, his GP said in a statement. Dr Joan Munnelly said the suicide attempt in 2022 resulted in a brain injury. Thorpe spent time in a private hospital after he was discharged from intensive care. Geoff Thorpe, his father, said Thorpe's 'life came crashing down' when he lost his job and that he became 'more and more desperate and helpless in the last year of his life'. Reading Geoff Thorpe's statement, the coroner said: 'You felt those who were responsible for Graham's safety and care could've done more to intervene.' Professor Nick Peirce, the ECB's chief medical officer, said in a statement that after Thorpe's employment ended in February 2022 his private health insurance cover was extended until that May, when the ECB was told of the suicide attempt. Peirce said: 'At no point during Graham's time at ECB had there been any concern regarding a risk of self harm or intent to end life.' • My friend Graham Thorpe: sensitive, warm and a wonderful team-mate Referring to Mrs Thorpe's statement, the coroner said: 'You had been upstairs on the phone and Graham had gone out. You thought he had gone to walk the dog but then you saw the dog. You tried to locate him using your phone but weren't able to do that. Then you got a call from Geoff telling you, 'He's gone.'' Thorpe struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his country 182 times in all formats. He memorably scored the winning runs in near darkness in Karachi in December 2000 when England secured a first Test series victory in Pakistan for 39 years. He featured 82 times for the ODI side and enjoyed a 17-year career with Surrey. He scored his final Test century under Michael Vaughan's captaincy against South Africa in December 2004 and made his final Test appearance in June 2005 before being omitted from that summer's victorious Ashes series. Thorpe is due to be honoured during the second day of the fifth and final Test in the current series of England against India which takes place at The Oval — his home ground, on August 1. That day would have been his 56th birthday. The inquest is due to continue until Friday.
