‘You believe you don’t have a choice and that’s the sad thing for people left behind’: Ruth Langsford breaks down in tears on This Morning as she recalls her sister’s suicide after 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
- Love Island presenter Caroline Flack took her own life at her home in Stoke Newington, London on Saturday
- Telling viewers that ‘this happened in my family,’ Ruth tearfully explained what it was like for a family member left behind after suicide
- Ruth’s husband and co-presenter Eamonn Holmes stepped in, reminding audiences that the show’s phone in would focus on depression and anxiety
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
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
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 snap 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