Cold Feet star: I considered suicide after work dried up
JOHN Thomson, the star of TV’s Cold Feet, has admitted he considered suicide after his career took a nosedive, and the thought of his children was the only thing that stopped him.
The comic, whose acting work dried up as a result of his drink and drugs lifestyle, said he had ‘dark thoughts’ and had ‘toyed with the idea’ of taking his own life.
Looking back at his struggle after ITV’s award-winning comedy was taken off air in 2003, the 48-year-old said he had even thought about ‘how to do it’.
However, the father of two said that he could never go through with it because of his children, and that he had too much to lose. He said: ‘There’s a force in me that won’t allow me to go that low. Too much to lose. Maybe before children, possibly, but not now. Not now. You contemplate. I’ve had thoughts.
‘I’ve had dark thoughts, but never considered carrying them out. I could mentally toy with the idea of it and how to do it, but not carry it out.’
Having spiralled into addiction, Thomson fell out of favour with directors and the calibre of parts he was being offered paled in comparison to his Cold Feet co-stars.
Despite going sober in 2006, he had to rely on voiceover roles and parts in pantomimes.
Then, in 2015, his ten-year marriage to interior designer Samantha Sharp ended in divorce, plunging him deeper into depression.
Speaking to the Radio Times, he said: ‘Voiceovers were my life-savers, really. Doing a commercial voiceover is like having a Christmas number one.’
After a failed trip to LA, where he ‘didn’t get a single commission’, the Salford-born star revamped his stand-up routine but had to lie to his wife about his pay.
He said: ‘I did a gig for 50 quid! I remember as I left the house, Sam asked, “Where are you going?”, and I said, “Got a gig tonight”. She went, “How much?”, and I went, “£150”. I didn’t dare tell her.’
Cold Feet was resurrected last year and brought rave reviews for Thomson, who was praised for the tenderness with which he portrayed Pete Gifford, who was himself struggling with depression.
He said: ‘I drew on my experience. As an actor it’s best to have an interesting life, as it gives you something to draw on. I’m grateful I’m rock ’n’ roll, really.’
Cold Feet returns for its seventh series on ITV on Friday September 8 at 9pm. Thomson stars with most of the old cast, including Fay Ripley, 51, who plays Pete’s wife Jenny.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116123, visit a local branch or go to samaritans.org