20 December 2023 , 19:30
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Warning: This article contains content that some readers may find distressing
A successful actor with multiple soap roles under his belt, Hollyoaks star Richard Blackwood has enjoyed an extraordinarily successful career, but has had to deal with devastating personal issues behind the scenes.
The actor and presenter, who played Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders from 2015 to 2018, has previously spoken candidly about some of the lowest moments of his life, including times of grief and deep despair. As the 51-year-old returns to the Masterchef kitchen for Celebrity Masterchef: Christmas Cook-Off 2023, we take a look at his life away from the limelight, including his heartbreaking loss and tragic reason he bought a gun.
Richard has previously spoken candidly about his battle with depression (BBC / Jack Barnes)Agonising battle with depression
London-born Richard has previously opened up about his battle with depression, including suicidal thoughts he experienced back in 2003 after filing for bankruptcy. In a brave 2020 Instagram interview with @MLavontellePresents, Richard shared: "I tried to shoot myself. I went to pull the trigger. In terms of the suicide, and only the people that were there really know. I don't have it now and it's way past, I tried to shoot myself."
Richard then went on to describe how his then-girlfriend Samia Stokes slapped the gun from his hand, ultimately saving his life. He continued: "I had a strap [gun], and I went to pull the trigger and someone with me at the time hit it out of my hand. How she stopped me from doing it, is that she picked it up and goes, 'I'll shoot myself at first and then shoot you'. And that's how she stopped me. That's the truth. People don't really know that. It wasn't no idiot way, I put it in my mouth."
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According to Richard. Samia initially believed she'd talked him out of taking his own life before finding him with gun. She'd left the room after he asked for a drink, but quickly realised what he was up to, running back to knock the weapon out of his hand.
Richard was greatly inspired by his brave mother Juliet (Internet Unknown)
He credits his mum with helping him to overcome suicidal thoughts (Mike Marsland/WireImage)Grief over inspirational mother
In December 2020, Richard spoke of his profound grief after the death of his mother Juliet Giscombe, who passed away after battling cancer on three separate occasions. Sharing the sad news via Instagram, Richard wrote: "I post and write this with a Heavy Heart this morning! I never put too much up over the last few weeks but my close friends and Family knew my mum was fighting her 3rd battle with Cancer! She passed away in my arms last night in front of my Sister, My Niece and my Son!! I’m not going to spend too many words on here cause I just don’t feel too but I want to Thank everyone that was supporting, That was reaching out, even those that just checked in on a how are you in this time!!!"
He continued: "I want you to know that will never be forgotten and I appreciate you!!!! I shall finish on this my mum was the strongest woman I know and to the very end never complained! Always pushing her kids and Grandkids to keep going and not have any Redeye or Hate in your Heart, hence why allot of you saw me Acting in this time or performing doing stand up and trying to make others smile when I wasn’t smiling! "The reason I still say God is Good because he is thats how Mum raised us! Mum your watching over us now but I’m honoured to be your Son Love You."
Proud mum Juliet was there to cheer Richard on during his time on Dancing On Ice in 2019, and the actor credits her as helping to save him back when he was experiencing suicidal thoughts. Hailing her as his inspiration at the time, Richard said: "If it wasn't for my mum and my son I wouldn't have made it. Talking about my depression saved me. My mum got diagnosed with stage four lung cancer at the start of 2013. There's no stage five. The doctors told her: 'You probably won’t see December'. I was coming to the end of the run in Shrek and she didn't want to tell me. She held this for nearly three months. I remember she said, 'Look son, sh*t happens but I'll beat it'. You focus on what you need to do but this is a reminder of how short life is."
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch