A former Coronation Street and Cold Feet actress died at home after battling post-natal depression, an inquest heard.
Former Miss Wales Melanie Hughes, 39, suffered depression after the birth of her son Kaden.
An inquest heard she started drinking a bottle of vodka a day after being left in a ‘terrible state’ after a traumatic year.
Former Miss Wales Melanie Hughes, pictured, suffered depression after the birth of her son
Melanie poses with fellow models in Japan. She passed away last year after struggling with a miscarriage and other bereavement
Melanie and her husband Rick are pictured on a family trip to Disneyland before she died battling bereavement and depression
She suffered a miscarriage, was distressed over the death of her grandmother and her mother was taken ill.
After winning the Miss Wales title, she appeared in a series of minor TV roles including Coronation Street and Cold Feet.
But she died leaving behind three-year-old son Kaden and 16-year-old stepdaughter Taylor.
Melanie is pictured at her marriage to Richard, who has spoken of how devastated he was by her death
Melanie’s husband has said that his wife was let down by agencies as she battle with depression and grief
Husband Richard, 50, of Ewloe, Flintshire, North Wales, said his wife had been let down by agencies.
The inquest heard Melanie had a period of rehab but began drinking again afterwards.
There were repeated patterns of heavy drinking followed by periods when she managed to stay sober.
Richard wears a ‘Mr Wales’ sash as he marries the former Cold Feet actress who won the national competition
Melanie (pictured with her husband, Rick) died at home after battling bereavement and depression
Richard said he asked for his wife be sectioned in order to stop her drinking but was told ‘it’s not as simple as that’.
Melanie collapsed without warning on her bed on October 8 last year. The inquest in Ruthin, Denbighshire, heard she was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital where she died.
A post-mortem showed she only had a small amount of alcohol in her system at the time.
The only obvious physical condition she was suffering from was fatty liver disease.
Substance misuse worker Kelly Wilson said: ‘Melanie really was in a terrible state and there were times when even you couldn’t help her.’
Coroner Elizabeth Dudley-Jones concluded Melanie died as a ‘direct result of Fatty Liver Disease which was caused as a result of her addiction to alcohol.’
After her death husband Richard said: ‘Mel was a lovely soul, she was kind and gentle. Mel was so kindhearted and had time for absolutely everyone.
Richard – pictured with his wife – says she was let down by professionals in the lead-up to her death, which was dominated by depression
‘We are absolutely devastated at the loss of such a wonderful spirit and will never ever forget her.’
The couple had both grown up together but did not marry until June 2011.
The family had a holiday together just two months before her death.
Richard added: ‘We had a holiday of a lifetime in Disney World Florida with my family and I am so glad we did as that has so many pictures with so many memories.’