Bradley Riches reveals he tried to end his life six years ago in Suicide Awareness Month post
The Heartstopper and Emmerdale star has opened up about the moment he “couldn’t see a life beyond that moment”, urging anyone struggling to tell someone
By Callum Wells
Bradley Riches has opened up about a past suicide attempt in a powerful message on Instagram today (2 September).
The Heartstopper and Emmerdale actor shared the candid post to mark Suicide Awareness Month, admitting that he is “always” nervous talking publicly about his experiences.
“But I want to share this,” he wrote. “And hopefully don’t get scared and delete it.”
“At the time, I couldn’t see a life beyond that moment” – Bradley Riches on his past suicide attempt
Riches then revealed that he tried to end his life in 2020.
“At the time, I couldn’t see a life beyond that moment,” he wrote. “I didn’t know who I was, or whether things could ever feel different.”
But rather than focusing solely on that moment, Riches has since kept a list of all the things he has experienced that he would not have experienced had he “given up that day”.
He wrote that he graduated, spent six more Christmases with his family and watched The Devil Wears Prada 2. He also joked about becoming obsessed with Sabrina Carpenter’s viral choreography.
Riches also celebrated travelling to places he never imagined visiting
“I joined Emmerdale, which had always been a dream of mine,” he continued, before listing his work on three seasons and a film of a Netflix show, entering the Big Brother house, making new friends and writing a bestselling book.
Riches also celebrated travelling to places he never imagined visiting, getting “two gorgeous doggies”, getting married and falling “completely in love with the love of my life”.
“And, importantly, I discovered a serious love for Aperol Spritzes and iced coffee,” he added.
Riches ended the post with a message directly to anyone who may currently be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
“You are loved. You are important. Your story is not finished. I’m so, so glad I stayed” – Riches advises fans
“There may be a moment where you genuinely can’t see a reason to stay,” he wrote. “I know that feeling. But please, stay for the things you haven’t experienced yet.”
“You are loved. You are important. Your story is not finished. I’m so, so glad I stayed.”
He added: “If you’re struggling, please tell someone. You don’t have to carry it alone.”
Riches has previously spoken openly about his experiences of feeling different while growing up. He was diagnosed with autism at nine and has become an advocate for autistic representation, including through his work as an Autistica ambassador.
His role as Lewis Barton in Emmerdale also marks the soap’s first neurodivergent character.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you don’t have to deal with it alone. In the UK, you can contact Samaritans free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.