Ruth Langsford breaks down in tears as she recalls her sister’s suicide

Ruth Langsford spoke out on her sister’s suicide during an emotional segment on Monday’s episode of This Morning.

The ITV presenter broke down in tears as the show discussed Caroline Flack’s death over the weekend.

Telling viewers that ‘this happened in my family,’ Ruth tearfully explained what it was like for a family member left behind after suicide. 

Loss: Ruth Langsford spoke out on her sister’s suicide during an emotional segment on Monday’s episode of This Morning focusing on Caroline Flack’s death

Ruth’s sister Julia Johnson, 62, who had battled depression for years, was found dead by her husband Paul at their home in Lingfield, Surrey in June 2019.

At the time, the ITV host, 59, told viewers her sister had died ‘after a long illness’, with an inquest later ruling she had died by suicide. 

Speaking to psychologist Emma Kenny on This Morning, Ruth spoke in public about her sister’s suicide for the first time, explaining: ‘This happened in my family. I remember my shock at that. It’s the questions it leaves the families’.

She continued with a list of a list of questions family members may have: ‘I should have gone round. I should have phoned. I was going to go round. I was going to phone. Maybe I should have stayed longer,’ she said.

Telling viewers that 'this happened in my family,' Ruth tearfully told viewers what it was like for a family member left behind after suicide during a discussion with her husband Eamonn Holmes (left), Nicola Thorp and Matthew Wright

Telling viewers that ‘this happened in my family,’ Ruth tearfully told viewers what it was like for a family member left behind after suicide during a discussion with her husband Eamonn Holmes (left), Nicola Thorp and Matthew Wright 

Grief: Ruth's sister Julia Johnson, 62, who had battled depression for years, was found dead by her husband Paul at their home in Lingfield, Surrey in June 2019

Grief: Ruth’s sister Julia Johnson, 62, who had battled depression for years, was found dead by her husband Paul at their home in Lingfield, Surrey in June 2019

Tears: Ruth spoke in public about her sister’s suicide for the first time, explaining: ‘This happened in my family. I remember my shock at that’

She added: ‘You are left with the ‘what ifs’. It’s her family now that think will need so much help.’

Later Ruth broke down in tears during a discussion about Caroline with actress Nicola Thorp and Mathew Wright.   

‘You believe you don’t have a choice, that’s the sad thing and that’s the sad thing for people left behind who say, “So many people loved you, you did have a choice, you could have called me, you could have called mum…”‘ Ruth said before she was unable to continue.   

Emotional: 'You believe you don't have a choice, that's the sad thing and that's the sad thing for people left behind' she continued

Emotional: ‘You believe you don’t have a choice, that’s the sad thing and that’s the sad thing for people left behind’ she continued

Ruth’s husband and co-presenter Eamonn Holmes stepped in, reminding audiences that the show’s phone in would focus on depression and anxiety.  

Sharing a photo alongside her Julia last year, Ruth told her Instagram followers: ‘My lovely Sis Julia has sadly died after a very long illness. My heart is completely broken.’

‘She was the kindest and most gentle soul and I will miss her forever. As I am sure you will appreciate I need to take time to grieve with my family. ‘Thank you for your understanding.’ 

Support: Ruth's husband and co-presenter Eamonn Holmes stepped in, reminding audiences that the show's phone in would focus on depression and anxiety

Support: Ruth’s husband and co-presenter Eamonn Holmes stepped in, reminding audiences that the show’s phone in would focus on depression and anxiety

Loss: Love Island presenter Caroline died on Saturday at her new flat in Stoke Newington, London

Loss: Love Island presenter Caroline died on Saturday at her new flat in Stoke Newington, London

Love Island presenter Caroline died on Saturday at her new flat in Stoke Newington, London, hours after she was told she would face trial over the alleged assault of boyfriend Lewis Burton last year – while the producer friend who was staying with her went to the shops. 

ITV cancelled scheduled Love Island episodes over the weekend but said the show would return tonight with a tribute to Caroline, who presented five series before stepping back following her arrest. 

Hitting out:  Ruth's husband Eamonn Holmes paid tribute to Caroline on Saturday, while insisting there needs to be 'repercussions'

Hitting out:  Ruth’s husband Eamonn Holmes paid tribute to Caroline on Saturday, while insisting there needs to be ‘repercussions’

Ruth’s husband Eamonn Holmes paid tribute to Caroline on Saturday, while insisting there needs to be ‘repercussions.’

He wrote on Twitter: ‘Caroline Flack …. Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. #Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?’ which garnered more than 27K likes. 

Eamonn later added: ‘Meaning out of respect, can the series continue?’ (sic) 

Caroline is the third Love Island star to have died in the last two years after former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, took their own lives in March 2019 and June 2018. 

Heartbreaking: Caroline is the third Love Island star to have died in the last two years after former contestants Mike Thalassitis took his own life in March 2019 (pictured on Love Island)

Emotional: Sophie Gradon took her own life in June 2018 (pictured during her time on Love Island)

Heartbreaking: Caroline is the third Love Island star to have died in the last two years after former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, took their own lives in March 2019 and June 2018 (L-R pictured during their time on Love Island) 

CAROLINE FLACK: A CALL FOR HELP?

 

Caroline Flack spoke often about her struggles, both in interviews and on social media. 

Caroline said, following her Strictly success: ‘Fame doesn’t make you happy’

STRICTLY CURSE? 

The Strictly Come Dancing 2014 winner has said that she felt depressed following her victory on the BBC show.

After she won the series along with professional partner Pasha Kovalev, she admitted that she felt like she was ‘being held together by a piece of string which could snap at any time’.

In an unearthed interview cited by the Daily Star following her death, Caroline claimed that, ‘It all started the day after I won Strictly. I woke up and felt like somebody had covered my body in clingfilm. I couldn’t get up and just couldn’t pick myself up at all that next year.’

She went on: ‘People see the celebrity lifestyle and assume everything is perfect, but we’re just like everyone else. Everyone is battling something emotional behind closed doors – that’s life.

Ignored? 'When I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining,' Caroline admitted in October 2019

Ignored? ‘When I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining,’ Caroline admitted in October 2019

‘Fame doesn’t make you happy.’

‘BEING A BURDEN IS MY BIGGEST FEAR’

In an Instagram post she uploaded on 14  October 2019 – to mark World Mental Health Day – Caroline captioned a photo of herself: ‘Some days it’s hard to write your feelings of your not in the right place.

‘The last few weeks I’ve been in a really weird place… I find it hard to talk about it… I guess it’s anxiety and pressure of life… and when I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining.

‘I feel like this is why some people keep their emotions to themselves. I certainly hate talking about my feelings. And being a burden is my biggest fear…

‘I’m lucky to be able to pick myself up when things feel s**t. But what happens if someone can’t. Be nice to people. You never know what’s going on. Ever.’ [sic] 

SOCIAL SILENCE

Signs of suicide? She liked tweets about calling The Samaritans over Christmas

Signs of suicide? She liked tweets about calling The Samaritans over Christmas 

Caroline was told to stay off social media following her assault charge in December 2019.

However, she notably liked a string of tweets in the days afterwards, before Christmas, encouraging those feeling lonely over the holidays to seek help.

The tweets – posted by the likes of actress Sheridan Smith, journalist Stacey Dooley and comedian Luke Kempner – included the telephone number for The Samaritans’ suicide hotline.

She also posted to Instagram around the same time: ‘This kind of scrutiny and speculation is a lot to take on for one person to take on their own… I’m a human being at the end of the day and I’m not going to be silenced when I have a story to tell and a life to keep going with…

‘I’m taking some time out to get feeling better and learn some lessons from situations I’ve got myself into to. I have nothing but love to give and best wishes for everyone.’

SELF-HELP?

It was reported that Caroline had decided to write a book, during her recent time off.

‘Caroline has found the process incredibly cathartic,’ one of her friends told the Mail. ‘She wants it to be more than just a story about her. She wants to talk about the problems she’s encountered and how she’s overcome them.

‘She hopes to be able to help others who may be going through similar difficulties. Part self-help, part memoir is the style that Caroline is looking for.’

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