Take Me Out contestant who died by suicide 'had lost job'
Note: This article contains discussion of suicide that some readers may find upsetting.
Earlier this year, Take Me Out contestant Charlie Watkins died by suicide shortly after filming his appearance on the show.
An inquest at York Coroners' Court has now heard the claim that Charlie lost his job at a chocolate museum because he took time off work to film the ITV show during his probationary period.
Charlie's twin brother Harry told the inquest that Charlie had missed calls from work because he didn't have his phone on him while filming. His employment was terminated on his return.
Hope you love tonight's @takemeoutuk especially Charlie's friends & family. We get to see a smashing lad enjoying himself on his date. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9T5AOvFm9O
- Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) April 29, 2017
Swabir Abdul Rahmam, Charlie's flatmate, told the inquest: "He really loved his job at the chocolate factory – he was happy.
"But when he went to go film for the Take Me Out TV programme, he lost his job – they terminated his contract."
The inquest heard that Charlie's mother had died when he was only nine years old, and his family confirmed that he had previously self-harmed and had been prescribed antidepressants in the past.
His housemate Rahmam added that in his view, those days had been behind Charlie and he had seemed "cheerful and happy".
A spokesman for the chocolate museum said (via The Times): "Although Charlie only worked for us for five weeks, he was a well-liked and sociable member of the team. Due to filming commitments with Take Me Out, Charlie was unable to complete his probationary period."
The museum also made a donation to Mind in Charlie's memory.
Charlie's psychiatrist Vivienne Sabre also gave evidence to the inquest, describing him as "the life and soul of every party", adding that she had also known him to "suddenly retreat into the back of his mind moments later".
Returning a conclusion of suicide, North Yorkshire Coroner Rob Turnbull said (via BBC): "Charlie was witty, charming and a considerate young man – that is what people thought of him.
"He was a popular young man and it was in a sad set of circumstances his life was to end the way it did."
Following his death on March 13, 2017, Charlie's appearance on Take Me Out and the following episode of Take Me Out: The Gossip were aired in April, with the permission of Charlie's family.
Charlie's family shared a statement regarding his passing after his first episode aired, saying: "We have lost a very special young man who sadly never recovered from the tragic loss of his mother when he was only 9 years old.
"Tragically this is another example of the mental health issues suffered by young people today, as highlighted by the Heads Together campaign supported by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry."
They also set up a fundraising page in support of Mind Mid and North Essex at charles.watkins.muchloved.com.
Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
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