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George Shelley reveals he contemplated suicide following his sister’s tragic death

The singer's little sister was killed in a tragic road accident

George Shelley has revealed that he contemplated suicide following the death of his little sister Harriet last year.

The singer’s 21-year-old sister was killed on April 28, 2017, after she ran out into the road between two tour buses outside the O2 Academy in Bristol, and suffered fatal head injuries.

The former X Factor star appeared on Loose Women on Tuesday to discuss his upcoming documentary about grief, and George revealed how his sister’s tragic death has affected him.

Speaking about the stigma surrounding mental illness and bereavement, George was asked if he had ever considered suicide, and he replied: “I mean, like, yeah, I was in a… I don’t want to say the words because I don’t even want to think that myself, but I wasn’t well and that’s the honest truth of it.”

He continued: “I was seeing a therapist. He recommended anti-depressants three times, by the third time he said, ‘This is it, come on, George,’ and I was afraid of what people would think of me.

“By the third time I accepted it. Understanding what you’re going through and knowing these things are there to help you for the time-being. The medication and support with medical professionals helps you, it clears the path for you.

“It’s helped me learn how to talk about it, I go to a siblings retreat where siblings who’ve lost their brothers and sisters meet up,” he explained.

George also revealed that he became agoraphobic towards the end of last year, which is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.

George and his sister Harriet | INSTAGRAM

“Towards the end of last year I was in a really rubbish place I needed to get out of that. My sister’s birthday was Christmas day, so getting past that as a family was really testing,” he said.

“I was doing the wrong thing for a very long time I was escaping, denial. There was a period for two or three months when I didn’t want to leave the flat.

“I don’t want to remember the dark place. The reason I was getting so angry was because I wasn’t processing the grief properly.”

“I was turning to locking myself away and playing video games and drinking and that’s a downward spiral.”

If you have been affected by anything in this article, please visit www.pieta.ie, or call 1800 247 247. 

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