BBC star Evan Davis has recalled the heartbreaking moment he found out about his father’s death on his wedding day.
The Dragon’s Den narrator, 61, said he was sent a text by his brother shortly after his wedding ceremony in July last year.
After reading the message, which said ‘Call ASAP’, he called his brother during the wedding reception, which is when he discovered his father had taken his own life.
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Davis made a speech to the guests, where he recalled saying: “We’ve just had some news. My father’s died.”
However, he didn’t want his or his husband’s guests to be ‘alarmed’, he told The Times.
“But I don’t want you to be alarmed. He was very elderly and it was definitely time.
“He had a wonderful, long and happy life. And he was definitely ready to go.
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“There’s actually nothing we can do. So I’m going to propose that we carry on.”
The BBC Radio 4 presenter said he was ‘absolutely’ certain that he wanted his wedding guests to know that his dad had ended his own life, explaining, ‘Dad was not ashamed of it’, and nor was he.
Davis also shared his father’s devastating suicide note in the interview, in which he had said: “I am not unhappy or depressed. I go because I have decided that I am now ready to go.”
A day after receiving the news, Davis returned to work where he ‘burst into tears’ when he was asked about his wedding day.
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Recalling the unfortunate timing surrounding his father’s death and his wedding, Davis said: “I know he didn’t do it to spoil our day.”
He continued: “We are all just very proud of him. His last act was one of a very controlled, strong person. It takes a lot of will to do what he did.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. For help and support, please call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website here.
Gregory Robinson