CORONATION Street fans are in tears after Ken Barlow opened up about his suicide attempt in an effort to convince son Peter to fight for his life.
The cobbles legend – who is played by actor Bill Roache in the ITV soap – has never spoken about the incident 30 years ago where he was driven to despair and tried to take his own life.
But after alcoholic Peter gave up on fighting for his own life after being told his drinking had caused irreversible liver damage, Ken decided to open up in the hopes of changing his son’s mind.
Walking into Peter’s hospital room, Ken told him: “I’m not going to let you give up.
“I’ve had my low points too, you know. There was a time when I didn’t want to go on – I wanted to end it. New Year’s Eve 1990, thirty years ago tomorrow.
“I’d lost everything – my business, my wife. And it was all my fault, I’d done it to myself. My affair with Wendy Crozier just poisoned everything.
“I had a bottle of pills and I laid them all out, I was going to take them. I’d swallowed three when Bet Gilroy came in and stopped me. A
“And I thanked God every day that she did. I’ve never told anybody, I’ve never needed to until now. Lowest I’ve ever been. I am ashamed of who I was. How selfish and thoughtless I’d been – self pity really.”
Ken continued: “If I had done it, if I’d given up, just think of all the wonderful things I’d have missed.
“Never have had Daniel, reunited with Deirdre, met Simon or Amy. And 30 Christmases I’d never have seen. Good or bad they were all worth it.
“The pain I felt then was nothing compared to the joy I’ve had since. So you see I’ve got some idea of how you’re felling, because I’ve been there too.
“Peter please believe when I say things will get better.
He added: “Don’t give up just yet son.”
Peter was in tears at his dad’s words – and so were viewers.
One wrote: “WOAH big confession from Ken there!!”
A second said: “Well this Peter and Ken scene is deep.”
Another added: “Ken and Peter’s heart to heart I’m crying.”
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
