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Artist News
Lil Chris’ family hope his death with spark discussion of mental illness
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 9 February 2016
The sister of Chris Hardman, aka Lil Chris, has spoken about her family’s desire to “get people speaking more openly about mental illness”. This follows the inquest into the musician and TV host’s death last year, which ruled that he had taken his own life.
As previously reported, Hardman was found dead at his home in Lowestoft in March last year. Coroner Peter Dean said that the musician had struggled with the pressures of finding fame at a young age on the second series of Channel 4’s ‘Rock School’ in 2006. “Sadly that fame also brought with it difficulties and problems but he had shown a desire to relaunch that career once more”, he said.
Following the inquest, Hardman’s sister Hannah said: “He had an amazing experience as a singer and celebrity and it is difficult to regret a moment of that. Nobody who knew him would have a bad word to say – he was the funniest, most lovely practical joker you could ever meet. But at the same time it was very difficult for him and he spoke very openly about his depression”.
“The one thing we would like to take away from this tragedy is to get people speaking more openly about mental illness”, she continued. “Unfortunately it is something that society cannot yet cure but by talking about it we can hopefully help people in a similar situation. I know that is what he wanted”.
Find out about the symptoms, causes, treatment and how you can help others with depression on Mind’s website here.
