In an unfortunate incident, a contestant of UK dating game show Take Me Out hanged himself four months after he lost his job at a chocolate museum job. Charlie Watkins, 22, appeared on the ITV show stating he had been unlucky in love during his three years at university.
York Coroners' Court heard that the criminology graduate took a job at the York Chocolate Story for a “few months” after completing his degree. Watkins, who was in his probationary period for employment, was sacked due to the four-day filming commitments for the show in Kent. Harry Watkins, his twin brother said the victim did not tell work about his whereabouts because he could not have his phone with him during the filming. The coroner was told that he missed calls from work and had his employment terminated.
“He really loved his job at the chocolate factory, he was happy. But when he went to go film for the 'Take Me Out' TV programme, he lost his job- they terminated his contract. He then had nothing to do apart from stay around the house and play on the Xbox and PlayStation,” Charlie's housemate Swabir Abdulrehman said. The inquest heard that Charlie's family and friends confirm he has a history of self-harming and had taken anti-depressants. However, those days were behind him and at the time “he was cheerful and happy”.
Charlie had reportedly suffered after losing his mother when he was aged nine, then his grandmother, grandfather and aunty, all in a span of five years. His suicide triggers a warning sign. Importance of mental health needs to highlighted as much and as many times as possible. Similar cases can be seen occurring more times than one can care to admit. Statistics show over 800,000 people die by suicide every year. With proper awareness and timely guidance of the affected, the growing issue can be curbed.
Charlie's family stated they have now set up a foundation in his name to help others battling mental health.
