Ricki Lake discusses her ex husband’s suicide

Ricki Lake has opened up about her ex-husband’s tragic suicide earlier this year on Thursday’s Loose Women.

The 49-year-old TV presenter spoke at length about Christian Evans’ sudden death in February and admitted that the past seven months have been her ‘darkest days’ as she deals with the grief. 

The talk show host was originally due to speak on the ITV lunchtime stalwart and appear on the panel of BBC talent show Let It Shine when she got the devastating news of her former flame’s untimely death.

Candid: Ricki Lake has opened up about her ex-husband’s tragic suicide earlier this year on Thursday’s Loose Women

She began: ‘I was in London when I got the news that my husband had committed suicide in the states. It’s very cathartic for me to be here. 

‘My darkest days have been these last seven months, I’m wearing his wedding ring and he would want me to go on and now my newest cause is talking about mental illness and suicide prevention. It’s really an honour to be here to honour him.’ 

Speaking on the panel, the Emmy-winner admitted that she had suffered her ‘greatest loss’ and described him as her ‘twin flame’. 

She shared: ‘Life goes on I am suffering my greatest loss – he was my twin flame, the only thing other than my two children that matter to me.’

'Darkest days': The 49-year-old TV presenter spoke at length about Christian Evans' sudden death in February and admitted that the past seven months have been her 'darkest days' as she deals with the grief

‘Darkest days’: The 49-year-old TV presenter spoke at length about Christian Evans’ sudden death in February and admitted that the past seven months have been her ‘darkest days’ as she deals with the grief

Her former partner had suffered with bipolar disorder but Ricki admitted that he also ‘had a lot of issues’ before he tragically took his own life from a self-inflicted gunshot at age 45. 

‘It’s very difficult to manage,’ she said. ‘I don’t have the answers but going through this experience I have so much empathy and compassion for people suffering from mental illness.’

Her former partner had struggled with bipolar disorder throughout his life. He and Ricki first began dating in 2009 and got married in 2012. 

'Carthatic': She began: 'I was in London when I got the news that my husband had committed suicide in the states. It¿s very cathartic for me to be here

‘Carthatic’: She began: ‘I was in London when I got the news that my husband had committed suicide in the states. It’s very cathartic for me to be here

'Twin flame': Speaking on the panel, the Emmy-winner admitted that she had suffered her 'greatest loss' and described him as her 'twin flame'

'Twin flame': Speaking on the panel, the Emmy-winner admitted that she had suffered her 'greatest loss' and described him as her 'twin flame'

‘Twin flame’: Speaking on the panel, the Emmy-winner admitted that she had suffered her ‘greatest loss’ and described him as her ‘twin flame’

'Issues': Her former partner had suffered with bipolar disorder but Ricki admitted that he also 'had a lot of issues' before he tragically took his own life from a self-inflicted gunshot at age 45

‘Issues’: Her former partner had suffered with bipolar disorder but Ricki admitted that he also ‘had a lot of issues’ before he tragically took his own life from a self-inflicted gunshot at age 45

Earlier this year, Ricki took to Instagram to announce the death of her ex-husband and ‘soulmate’ alongside a photo of them hugging and smiling at each other.

She began: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved soulmate, Christian Evans has passed. The world didn’t understand this man, but I did. He succumbed to his life long struggle with bipolar disorder.

‘For anyone who has ever lost a family member or friend to mental illness, my heart goes out to you. I am a greater person for having known him and spent the past 6 and a half years of my life with him. 

‘He was a man of love and what mends my broken heart today is knowing that he is finally at peace and his spirit is free. Rest in peace, my love,’ she added. 

Lake and jewelry designer Evans started dating in 2010 and married in April 2012. They split in October 2014 as Lake filed for divorce citing ‘irreconcilable differences’. 

The couple announced in December 2014 that their divorce was on hold, but reported the divorce was finalized in 2015.

Evans during the divorce proceedings claimed that Lake defrauded him while negotiating their prenuptial agreement and tried to have it set aside.

Lake was previously married to illustrator-bartender Rob Sussman from 1994 to 2004 and shared two sons Milo and Owen together. 

Lake hosted the Ricki Lake talk show for 11 seasons from September 1993 to 2004. 

Speaking out: Ricki joined panelists Andrea McLean, Nadia Sawalha, Stacey Solomon and Jane Moore on the show

Speaking out: Ricki joined panelists Andrea McLean, Nadia Sawalha, Stacey Solomon and Jane Moore on the show

 

 

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