My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’s Paddy Doherty reveals his depression battle after twins’ ‘suicide’ following cancer diagnosis
MY Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’s Paddy Doherty today revealed his own depression battle after twin brothers died in a suspected suicide following a cancer diagnosis.
Billy and Joe Smith, both 32, were tragically found dead in woodland, close to a farm, in rural Kent on Saturday morning – with family fearing they had taken their own lives after struggling with depression.
It is believed that Joe had recently been given the all clear from cancer before his sudden death.
And speaking to the Sun Online today, TV gypsy king Paddy said he was devastated the brothers could have been struggling – all the more conscious of the toll depression could take after facing it himself.
The 60-year-old bareknuckle fighting legend battled prostate cancer in secret for seven months, finally given the all clear in April this year.
But Paddy revealed the diagnosis had taken a toll on his mental health.
He said: “I suffered with depression once upon a time, I know what it’s like and I’m not ashamed to say it.
“When I found out I had prostate (cancer), my head messed up big time.
“No one knows it until you’re in that situation.”
Paddy, who won an army of fans after appearing in smash hit TV show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, ultimately made the decision to speak to a counsellor after his mental health struggles.
‘TERRIBLE TRAGEDY’
He said: “You think the world don’t care about you and you don’t care about the world.
“I thought, that’s it, life’s not worth it.”
The legend’s revelations come after Billy and Joe’s family were left reeling after the men were tragically found dead over the weekend.
Since the tragedy, family of the twin brothers said Joey had been fighting cancer, with the pair having vowed to stay together until the end.
The family of the Big Fat Gypsy Wedding stars also claimed that a note was found by the pair’s body, saying they “wanted it like this”.
Phoebe Charleen Smith, a cousin, : “Joey had cancer, and Billy told him ‘I’d never be able to live without you’.
“Joey told the family he got the all-clear after chemo two months ago, but we don’t know if that’s true now.
“They went missing, and Joey’s phone was turned off. Then we found a note. It said that they wanted it like this, and we would find them in the woods where they played with the family years ago.”
Family members said they had previously flagged concerns the pair were struggling with depression.
And speaking about the brothers, Paddy said: “I would have loved to see them, and just talk to them.
“If you have ever been depressed yourself, you need someone who has been there to talk to you.
“Travellers, they are so proud.”
Describing the brothers, he said they were “glued” together, adding “one couldn’t breathe without the other”.
He said: “They were beyond brothers with their whole lives ahead of them.
“It’s a terrible, terrible, terrible tragedy.”
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
Bouquets of flowers, including pink roses, have been laid at the scene where the twins are thought to have taken their own lives, which is around half a mile from Joe’s home.
The family said in a statement to the Sun Online the pair were “such big characters” who were “in everything together.”
Tributes have also flowed for the twins, with one friend writing online: “The love they had for one another. They couldn’t live without one another.”
Another added: “Born together and left the earth together.”
A Kent Police spokesman said: “Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are ongoing but they are not currently being treated as suspicious.
He added: “The next of kin of both men are aware and are being kept updated.”
An inquest into the deaths is likely to be held in the New Year.
- IF you are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to talk, call The Samaritans on 116 123.