Strictly's Toyah Willcox reveals she considered ending her life as she struggled with her career
09/28/2024 05:41 PM
STRICTLY star Toyah Willcox has revealed how she came close to ending her life at a notorious suicide spot.
The actress and music legend, 66, was only saved by a passing policeman who was close to the bridge in North London.
The incident unfolded when Toyah was living in London in her early 20's and was trying to make it on showbiz.
Recalling what happened, Toyah wrote in her memoir, Living Out Loud, that she had become aware of the reputation of a bridge near her home in London for people taking their lives.
“I grew accustomed to the view from the bridge at dawn,” she wrote.
“In those days there was little traffic on the roads at 5am. The bridge mesmerised me. It was known locally as suicide bridge.
“I contemplated jumping every time I crossed it. Sometimes because I was drunk and bolshie, but most of the time because I was heartbroken.
“Back then loneliness and rejection were a big part of my life."
In a heartbreaking admission, Toyah said these feelings eventually evolved into her trying to end her life one morning.
She said: "It was, about 4.30am, the sun was rising on the bridge. I'd spent the night at a succession of parties.
“On the way home I stood watching the view from the bridge. It always made me cry. I thought to myself 'what would it be like to jump?'.
“So, looking around to make sure the coast was clear, I dared myself to jump.”
"As I balanced, I thought of mum and dad, my brother and sister and how they would feel. It would destroy them.
“I thought of ending all possibilities, and decided I didn't ever want to jump. But by now it was too late."
"Then, a hand grabbed my ankle. I almost fell forward,” Toyah explained.
“A voice came: 'Don't do it. Just don't do it'. I turned and it was a policeman. He was white as a sheet.
“Where he appeared from I had no idea. There was no bicycle, no car, no footsteps. We talked for an hour…and parted friends."
Toyah – born with a twisted spine, a clubbed right foot and one leg shorter than the other – recently spoke out about her health struggles and revealed she has suffered from crippling insomnia since she was just 14.
You're Not Alone
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:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Thankfully, after the incident, Toyah has overcome her hardship and became known as one of the defining stars of the 1980s.
This year, she’s taken on the challenge of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing – partnered up with pro Neil Jones for the season.
However, she has a fight on her hands to remain on the show, after falling to the bottom of the leaderboard after the first two weeks.
Toyah has been criticised for “stiff” dancing both weeks, earning only 30 out of the available 80 points across the two shows so far.
The first week saw fans slam the judges for giving her such a low score.
However, week two did see a vast improvement, jumping from scoring 12 to 18 points.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
