Will Young: Losing My Twin Rupert viewers in tears as singer opens up about late brother

Virgin Radio

11 May 2022, 15:14

Trigger warning: Suicide/Depression

Will Young's heart-wrenching documentary about losing his twin brother to suicide left viewers in bits as he opened up for the first time in Channel 4's Will Young: Losing My Twin Rupert.

Rupert took his own life nearly two years ago after a traumatic battle with depression and alcohol abuse.

The singer explained: “It’s important to tell my story, to tell Rupert’s story, to tell my family’s story and to tell the story of 20 years living with my twin, who was an alcoholic.

"Other people will be experiencing this and I don’t want them to feel alone.”

He shared: “I could tell really quickly when he was drunk. You’d see that look in his eye. He would turn and it was scary.

"Towards the end, he was knocking on neighbours’ doors in the morning asking for money. He was passed out outside a newsagent.

"He had become a person that was on the street. I don’t judge those people, actually. I feel incredible empathy for them because that is Rupert. That’s what he became."

On looking after him before he passed away, he said: "My day would start. Either he was sick or he would have peed on the sofa, so I’d have to clear that up, then go get more beers and codeine because he was addicted to painkillers.

"At the end, he would be drinking 24 hours a day. You’ve got this monster who’s not moving. So, the only thing was to throw him out but also to be aware he might end up killing himself. I was ok with everything I’d done to try to help him."

"That’s the key," he said. "There’s lots of signs for me that he’s there. Talking about him is nice. That’s how we keep people alive."

One emotional fan wrote: "Will Young I'm struggling to find the words. Your strength! Today is a year since my mother died and I don't have your strength. Really good, honest programme."

Another posted: "This is absolutely heartbreaking, It's made me cry from start to finish. Well done Will Young for finding the courage to speak about this."

"It's so sad, because it's a complex system and issues which need funding. I believe everyone deserves help and support, sadly it's lacking," a third commented.

A fourth tweeted: "Not going to lie, started to cry when Will mentioned the police at the door."

"You have moved me to tears @willyoung. Thank you for sharing Rupert's story and highlighting the issues for families and addicts. You are an inspiration to so many people," another added.

The Pop Idol winner added: “I had a big moment where I realised I couldn’t save him and that brought a whole lot of grief.

“Now I just feel very grateful that I got 42 years with him.”

At Virgin Radio, we are committed to improving the wellbeing of our audience wherever possible. Whilst we ourselves are not Mental Health experts or qualified to directly assist those in need, we have compiled useful resources to help point you in the right direction, should you need help, at virginradio.co.uk/mental-health-resources.