AbFab’s Adrian Edmondson, 65, says he’s lived with ‘suicidal thoughts his whole life’

Adrian Edmondson, best known for The Young Ones and Bottom, spoke about his battle with depression in a candid interview.

Comedian Adrian Edmondson says he’s contemplated suicide most of his life.

Actor Young Ones informed his wife of “shocking” comics Jennifer Saunders of more than 20 years of their marriage. He finally took her advice to seek professional help in 2011.

The revelations came via Radio 3 show The Essay, where Adrian read this week a self-written story called Signs Of Life, which the show’s producers say is entirely based on real life. his.

Also known as Ade, the star talked about how he married a girlfriend in college but it all ended badly and this started his mental health problems, talking about the fact that he narrowly survived a suicide attempt in a bicycle accident.

Speaking in the present tense, he said: “I am not completely well. I met doctor uni. He gave me a sedative. No one mentioned the phrase mental health. No one talked about anything.

“And that attitude persisted in the ’70s. I didn’t know I had a mental health problem. I don’t like tranquilizers. I stopped taking them”.

As his comedy career began to take off, his mental problems worsened, and by his late 30s he had become an amnesiac.

He continued: “I think suicidal thoughts are normal. I have lived with them all my life. “

Adrian says he eventually told his wife and has since received help for his inner turmoil. Married to Jennifer in 1985, he didn’t talk about his negative feelings to her until 2007.

He said: “It’s not something that comes up when you’re dating, I never found the right moment.

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“She was shocked. I am a very good actor. She was sad and worried and told me I really needed to see someone. I agree and anticipate. ”

But it wasn’t until two friends committed suicide years later that he found help.

“It’s 2010 and my best friend shot him in the brain with a shotgun,” he said. “A year later, an even better friend hanged himself.

“I know how aggressive these actions are to the rest of us. They wreak havoc on so many people and I am determined never to cause such pain. Deciding to commit suicide is not an option is a game changer.”

* If you are struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a toll-free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their website to find your local branch