Graham Thorpe committed suicide after battling anxiety and depression for years, saying his wife and children would be “better off without him”, his grieving family said today.
The left-handed Surrey batsman, a talisman for England and a hero to many who grew up watching cricket in the 1990s, has died aged just 55.
Mr Thorpe, a father of four, was seriously ill in hospital in May 2022 after attempting suicide. He recovered but took his own life on Sunday.
Today, his wife Amanda and their two daughters Kitty, 22, and Emma, 19, spoke about his battle with mental health.
Mrs Thorpe said: ‘Despite having a wife and two daughters who he loved and who loved him, he did not get better. He had been so ill recently and he really believed that we would be better off without him and we are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.’
English legend Graham Thorpe has committed suicide, his family have revealed
Thorpe with his wife Amanda, their two daughters Kitty, now 22, and Emma, now 19, and his parents at the Wrecclesham Village Fete in Surrey in 2016
England captain Nasser Hussain (left) and Graham Thorpe (right) celebrate England’s historic series win over Pakistan in 2000. They were best friends
The family now has plans to set up a foundation in his memory.
Ms Thorpe told The Times: ‘Over the past few years, Graham had suffered from severe depression and anxiety, leading to him making a serious attempt to take his own life in May 2022, resulting in a lengthy stay in intensive care.
‘Despite glimpses of hope and the old Graham, he continued to suffer from depression and anxiety, which at times became very severe. We supported him as a family and he tried many treatments, but sadly none seemed to really work.
‘Graham was known as someone who was mentally very strong on the field and he was in good physical health. But mental illness is a real illness and can affect anyone.’
