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BBC News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'A Day for Thorpey' to celebrate England batter
The family of Graham Thorpe want to "celebrate his memory" on 'A Day for Thorpey' during England's fifth Test against India at The England batter Thorpe took his own life last year after a prolonged struggle with depression and anxiety. He was former Surrey player will be remembered on the second day of the fifth Test at the ground where he had a 17-year county career. That day, 1 August, would have been his 56th a nod to the trademark headband Thorpe wore while batting, headbands designed by his wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma will be sold to raise money for mental health charity to BBC Breakfast, Amanda said: "That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright. He'll go on."Kitty added: "Death and grief in general isn't talked about enough, considering it happens to everyone. It surrounds us. When you add the layer of death by suicide, that makes it even more taboo."I understand it's difficult to talk about - people don't want to say the wrong thing. That doesn't help tackle the stigma around it. We need to change the way we're addressing the topic. That's why we're working with Mind to do something to help that."Thorpe famously became the first England batter for 20 years to score a hundred on their Test debut when he reached three figures against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993.A stylish left-hander, Thorpe would go on to become one of only 17 men to reach 100 Test caps for England, scoring 6,744 runs at an average of his playing career, he held coaching roles with Surrey and England. He was part of the England staff during the taxing 2021-22 Ashes in Australia, played under Covid restrictions. He was let go after England lost that series was named head coach of Afghanistan in March of 2022, then made a first attempt on his life in May of the same year, subsequently spending a prolonged period in intensive care. "Working in the Covid bubbles, he found that tough," said Amanda. "He wasn't great at following rules at the best of times. He would turn up for a team dinner in the wrong clothes, that is if he turned up at all."The last tour he did when he was coaching, the Ashes, that was a really hard tour because there were still full Covid restrictions."It was all very stressful and he wasn't great on that trip. Then he came back, and, as happens, his job ended, then he got offered another job. It was hard for him, probably harder than we knew. He got a lot worse then, very quickly, actually."Thorpe died on 4 August last year."It was impossible not to notice his spark and whole personality changed, over time to almost unrecognisable," said Kitty. "It was awful to see. What started as a mental illness turned into a physical illness."Over two years he aged about 15 years. He looked really weak. He found the most easy, menial tasks so challenging, like making a meal or walking the dog. He started struggling to even do that. He lost his strength."We tried many different treatments, but nothing worked for him."In the run-up to 'A Day for Thorpey', Amanda has visited 'Bat and Chat' in Burton-upon-Trent - an initiative from Mind designed to support mental health through sessions are to be renamed 'Thorpey's Bat and Chat' and funds raised from the day at The Oval will be used to roll them out across the country."My dad was quite a private person, so for us to share his and our experience is important to help other people who have gone through similar things," said Emma."To start a conversation, to reduce the shame and stigma there are around these conversations."Kitty added: "Our key message is to speak up and reach out for help early on. There is help out there. It needs to be spoken about more."There are great charities like Mind and many more. Hopefully over time this will grow, there will be more help and services. That's what we're raising money for."If you're affected by any of the issues in this article you can find details of organisations who can help via the BBC Action Line.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Former footballer Clarke Carlisle 'humbled' by university honour
A former professional footballer and mental health advocate has said he is "truly humbled" to receive an honorary fellowship from his hometown university. Clarke Carlisle is being recognised by the University of Central Lancashire for his contributions to football and mental health who played for Burnley, Blackpool and Preston North End during a 17-year career, has previously spoken of his mental health issues and delivers presentations to students about depression."You don't do it for accolades, you do it so other people don't go through what you've experienced," he said. 'Having an impact' Born in Preston, Carlisle started his career at Blackpool and made more than 500 appearances for nine clubs, finishing at Northampton in ambassador for the mental health charity Mind and also the Premier League Kick It Out Campaign, which promotes inclusion and equality in football, he said his mum had inspired him."She said 'Clarke you've been so privileged to turn your mess into your message' and to be able to do that and help other people has been utterly amazing," he told BBC Radio Lancashire."That being said, it's wonderful, it's heart-warming, it's affirming for people to acknowledge what you're doing is having an impact."Sylvia Simmonds, a champion for the deaf community, and Professor Carl Lygo, the university's inaugural vice-chancellor, will also receive honorary awards at the institution, which is changing its name to the University of Lancashire. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Perrie Edwards puts on a very busty display in a nude bikini and cowboy hat as she shares sizzling poolside snaps
Perrie Edwards put on a very busty display in a nude bikini as she shared an album of sizzling snaps to Instagram on Saturday. The former Little Mix star channelled her inner cowboy as she paired her swimwear with a brown cowboy hat which featured blue detailing. To accessorise, Perrie, 31, wore a trendy gold belly chain, which boasted flower charms, and a matching necklace. Perrie appeared to be soaking up the sun abroad as she posed under clear blue skies and in front of a swimming pool. Sharing her latest poolside ensemble with her 18.9million followers, the blonde beauty penned: 'Oh hi'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Her sizzling snaps comes after she revealed she brings her therapist to work with her in a bid to manage the panic attacks that have plagued her for years. She opened up about her mental health struggles as she was announced as the newest celebrity ambassador for the mental health charity Mind. Perrie who has been very honest about her battle with anxiety and panic attacks, has shed light on how she's learning to cope - including having her therapist on hand to help her face the symptoms in the moment. The former X Factor winner – who's previously spoken about struggling with agoraphobia and blurred vision and breathlessness during a panic attack – said her biggest breakthrough came when she stopped trying to fight the feelings and started facing them in real time. She told Metro: 'Last year, maybe in September, I started to take my therapist to work with me, which I know is a very privileged situation. 'I understand that not many people even have a therapist. So I thought, I'm going to make the most of it. 'I'm going to take her to work with me every day, and when I'm having the panic attack, she's going to coach me through it there and then.' She admitted: 'It's the best thing I've ever done. And I wish I did it sooner, to be honest.' She opened up about her mental health struggles as she was announced as the newest celebrity ambassador for the mental health charity Mind Despite previously trying 'all different kinds' of therapy, Perrie confessed that the panic still hit her hard when it came out of nowhere and everything she'd been taught just 'went out the window.' The BRIT Award-winning star is on a mission to help break the stigma around anxiety and wants to encourage others to get the support they need. As part of her new role with Mind, she's pushing for more access to mental health resources for everyone. not just those with the means to have support on speed dial. She added: 'I'm just trying to be at peace with my anxiety. If I can help even one person feel less alone, it's worth it.' It comes after the singer has admitted she fears she 'might die' as she opened up about her ongoing battle with panic disorders when she appeared on Alison Hammond 's Big Weekend. Perrie invited the presenter into her home and spoke openly about how anxiety has affected her everyday life. 'I've developed panic disorder' she said. 'So it's the fear of having a panic attack. A few years ago, I started suffering from severe panic attacks. 'I then developed a fear of having one again because I was like, if I'm on my own and have a panic attack, I might die, and nobody will be here to help.' She candidly added: 'That's why I'm never on my own. Never. I'm always with somebody. I don't like the feeling of feeling like I'm gonna die.' Elsewhere in the interview, Perrie revealed she wants to expand her family after welcoming a son Axel in 2021 with her partner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chatting about how Axel sleeps in her bed when Alex is away for work, Alison asked: 'Are you going to have another one?' To which Perrie replied: 'I'd love more. I've always wanted four but I know that's a bit excessive now because I know that we can't get in a car.' 'You just get a bigger car, don't you?' Alison responded. Perrie replied: 'I don't want to. I had a dream the other night that I was pregnant.' 'Should we go and get a pregnancy test?' Alison joked, to which Perrie said: 'Could you imagine.' What is a panic attack? They are an exaggeration of your body's normal response to danger, stress or excitement. Symptoms can include: • A pounding or racing heartbeat • Feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed • Feeling very hot or very cold • Sweating, trembling or shaking • Nausea (feeling sick) • Pain in your chest or abdomen •Struggling to breathe or feeling like you're choking • Feeling like your legs are shaky or are turning to jelly • Feeling disconnected from your mind, body or surroundings
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Perrie Edwards reveals the extreme lengths she goes to in bid to manage her crippling panic attacks
Perrie Edwards has revealed she brings her therapist to work with her in a bid to manage the panic attacks that have plagued her for years. The former Little Mix star, 31, opened up about her mental health struggles as she was announced as the newest celebrity ambassador for the mental health charity Mind. Perrie who has been very honest about her battle with anxiety and panic attacks, has shed light on how she's learning to cope - including having her therapist on hand to help her face the symptoms in the moment. The former X Factor winner – who's previously spoken about struggling with agoraphobia and blurred vision and breathlessness during a panic attack – said her biggest breakthrough came when she stopped trying to fight the feelings and started facing them in real time. She told Metro: 'Last year, maybe in September, I started to take my therapist to work with me, which I know is a very privileged situation. I understand that not many people even have a therapist. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'So I thought, I'm going to make the most of it. I'm going to take her to work with me every day, and when I'm having the panic attack, she's going to coach me through it there and then.' She admitted: 'It's the best thing I've ever done. And I wish I did it sooner, to be honest.' Despite previously trying 'all different kinds' of therapy, Perrie confessed that the panic still hit her hard when it came out of nowhere and everything she'd been taught just 'went out the window.' Now, the BRIT Award-winning star is on a mission to help break the stigma around anxiety and wants to encourage others to get the support they need. As part of her new role with Mind, she's pushing for more access to mental health resources for everyone. not just those with the means to have support on speed dial. She added: 'I'm just trying to be at peace with my anxiety. If I can help even one person feel less alone, it's worth it.' It comes after the singer has admitted she fears she 'might die' as she opened up about her ongoing battle with panic disorders when she appeared on Alison Hammond 's Big Weekend. Perrie invited the presenter into her home and spoke openly about how anxiety has affected her everyday life. 'I've developed panic disorder' she said. 'So it's the fear of having a panic attack. A few years ago, I started suffering from severe panic attacks. 'I then developed a fear of having one again because I was like, if I'm on my own and have a panic attack, I might die, and nobody will be here to help.' She candidly added: 'That's why I'm never on my own. Never. I'm always with somebody. I don't like the feeling of feeling like I'm gonna die.' Elsewhere in the interview, Perrie revealed she wants to expand her family after welcoming a son Axel in 2021 with her partner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chatting about how Axel sleeps in her bed when Alex is away for work, Alison asked: 'Are you going to have another one?' To which Perrie replied: 'I'd love more. I've always wanted four but I know that's a bit excessive now because I know that we can't get in a car.' 'You just get a bigger car, don't you?' Alison responded. Perrie replied: 'I don't want to. I had a dream the other night that I was pregnant.' 'Should we go and get a pregnancy test?' Alison joked, to which Perrie said: 'Could you imagine.' Perrie recently gave an insight into her family life and revealed her son is best friends with the children of her Little Mix bandmates. She shared a sweet Instagram picture of her son hanging out with Leigh-Anne Pinnock's twin girls. Perri and her footballer fiancé Alex gushed that having Axel was 'the best thing that ever happened' to her. Leigh-Anne and her husband Andre Gray welcomed their twins, whose names have never been revealed publicly, just five days before Perrie. In the sweet image, Perrie was seen crouched on the floor cuddling Axel with Leigh-Anne next to them holding on to her two girls. The former Little Mixers beaming from ear-to-ear as their tiny tots enjoyed a play date. Axel looked adorable dressed in a mini Beşiktaş football kit - the team his father plays for. What is a panic attack? They are an exaggeration of your body's normal response to danger, stress or excitement. Symptoms can include: • A pounding or racing heartbeat • Feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed • Feeling very hot or very cold • Sweating, trembling or shaking • Nausea (feeling sick) • Pain in your chest or abdomen •Struggling to breathe or feeling like you're choking • Feeling like your legs are shaky or are turning to jelly • Feeling disconnected from your mind, body or surroundings
