Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We don’t know why he did it.. he was happy not depressed
Agony of BGT dance star’s mum
THE devastated family of dancer Jack Saunders have told how they had no idea he was suicidal before he took his own life.
Mum Sandra said the 25-year-old Britain’s Got Talent contestant gave no clues about the state of his mind in the lead up to his death and left no note.
Jack’s dance group Green Force Five had already been recorded getting through to the live semi-finals for next month’s show after impressing judges.
But he took his own life in the early hours of Sunday, leaving staff shocked.
His family now want to raise suicide awareness and have urged anyone feeling vulnerable to seek help urgently.
Grieving Sandra, 53, said: “We don’t know why he did it, he didn’t leave a note. He did not have depression. He went to the GP before Christmas because he was feeling tired and they never spotted any problems.
“Suicide can happen to anyone at any time. People can’t believe Jack is gone. We are the same. I want people to know this can happen to any family. There is no stereotype, it doesn’t have to be a manic depressive who has shown signs of mental health problems. It’s just shocked everyone because to other people Jack had it all. If we can use what’s happened to Jack to help just one person.”
Sister Kayla Williams, 28, added: “Suicide awareness is getting better but there is still a stigma. The message we want to share about Jack’s death is how important it is to talk to people.
“Don’t wait until it’s too late. Even if you don’t want to talk to family and friends there are support groups that can help. Talking to a stranger is sometimes easier.” Dad Ian, 54, added: “I am so shocked. I keep expecting him to walk past the window.” Sandra, of Uxbridge, West London, also paid tribute to her son, whose career took him all over the world.
She said: “Jack was a kind soul. He worried about everyone else. He was the shoulder you cried on. Jack achieved more than many people could dream of.”
A Britain’s Got Talent spokesman added: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Jack’s family and friends.”
Insiders say bosses will be talking to his five-piece dance group about whether to air their audition and if they want to continue in the semi-finals.
Jack was the youngest paid dancer at the London Olympics opening ceremony having just turned 18. He also appeared on Sky1 show Got to Dance and X Factor with Lauren Platt twice in 2014.
He helped coach young dance troupe Entity Allstars who reached the BGT finals 2015 and he has been pictured with One Direction’s Niall Horan.
Jack died a day after Love Island star Mike Thalassitis took his own life.
Hundreds are expected at a memorial event in Stratford, East London, tomorrow. Mourners will release 25 biodegradable balloons in Jack’s memory and donations will be made to the Campaign Against Living Miserably.
CALM is leading a movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.