Iain Lee Saves Suicidal Man's Life Live On His Radio Show

In a harrowing on-air moment, comedian Iain Lee managed to save the life of a suicidal man who had contacted the show.

Lee, who appeared in last year's series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, has been praised for his actions after he managed to keep the man talking while production staff contacted the emergency services.

During the emotional phone call, the talkRADIO host listened to the caller, who was believed to be from Plymouth, as he revealed that he had taken an overdose and was lying in the street, dying.

The distressing conversation was broadcast live on talkRadio last night, with the man - who called himself Chris - speaking to Lee for about 30 minutes.

Lee said: "Tell you what, Chris - I don't want you to die tonight. I need to know what street you're on. I want you to get through tonight and chat to me tomorrow, when you haven't got a load of drugs in you.

PA

"I don't want you to die tonight because I love you. I love you, brother. I love you."

Staff in the background were working hard to get someone to Chris, who, as the conversation continued, went through long periods of silence.

Lee added: "Someone's going to come and help you"

Fortunately a police officer then took over the line and told the radio host that she had arrived and was dealing with the situation.

Following the stunning exchange, Lee took to Twitter to write: "Tonight we took a call from a man who had taken an overdose. He was lying in a street in Plymouth, dying.

"We managed to keep him online, get a description of what he looked like and was wearing, work out where he was and send an ambulance and police to him.

"Kept him on the phone for 30 minutes while he got harder to understand. Long periods of silence where I thought he'd died.

"Fuck, that was intense and upsetting.

"Thanks for your kind words. I really hope he makes it."

Inspector Kev Morley of Devon and Cornwall Police also tweeted about the incident, praising Lee for his response and writing: "My officers that attended and are now dealing with the caller. This is a very typical call for us sadly and December is a hard month for many. We will do our best to direct him to long term support.

"Thanks to you for the part you played. We all have a role to play in supporting those that are struggling."

UOKM8? is a campaign by LADbible, featuring films and stories that provide advice and inspiration on mental health. Explore more here and don't suffer in silence. Let's talk mental health.

MIND: 0300 123 3393.

Samaritans: 116 123.

CALM: Outside London 0808 802 5858, inside London 0800 58 58 58.

Topics: U OK M8, UK News, Mental Health, UK Entertainment

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom