'Coronation Street' star shares family heartbreak over sister's suicide as he urges anyone struggling to talk about it

Watch: Coronation Street actor urges people having suicidal thoughts to ‘talk about it’

Coronation Street actor Oliver Devoti has urged anyone struggling with their mental health to seek help after sharing the heartbreaking story of his sister’s death.

Devoti, who plays the new boyfriend of soap character Daisy Midgeley, opened up about his sister Amelia to support suicide-prevention charity Papyrus.

He talked about the night she took her own life, on New Year’s Eve 12 years ago at the age of 26, and also spoke about coming to terms with his own suicidal feelings.

Read more: The 10 most searched for TV shows of 2020

Devoti told PA: “We knew that she was fragile but just felt helpless to do anything about it. You always think ‘What if, what if, what if?’

“But it negatively impacts your mental health, you’re not going to be able to live your life. You can’t change the past. I’ve been through that cycle and it’s not helped me in any shape or form.”

The 36-year-old, who has been cast as character Lee in Corrie, said he, his partner and their baby son had been having a quiet evening in with his older sister Amelia on 31 December, 2008.

After playing with her nephew earlier in the evening, Amelia had said she wanted to listen to some music on her own for a while.

Devoti said: “My son was down to sleep in the spare room and we said to Amelia we are going to go out for a 15-minute walk.

“We walked around the block, we didn’t even go into the living room because she wanted to be left alone. We checked on my son, everything was fine, so we just sat back down in the hallway.

“Then the music went off – and it was not like her to let the music go off. Five or six minutes later the music was still off, we thought this was strange because she would not sit there in silence.”

The actor urged anyone who was struggling with their own mental health to reach out to someone else and share the problem.

He said: “Talk about it and share it. Ask for help and don’t be too scared to. You can’t deal with everything yourself and Amelia’s life is evidence of that.

“You need to communicate it – if no-one knows what you’re going through, no-one can help.”

Read more: How well do you know Coronation Street’s most famous storylines?

Admitting that he “often” has suicidal thoughts, which he has previously kept to himself, he said he now tries to open up to other people.

He said: “I get self-worth problems all the time, impostor syndrome and doubt, but telling people about that makes people go: ‘Are you serious?’

“We all have those feelings, but it’s talking about it on a day-to-day basis (that makes a difference).”

For confidential suicide prevention help and advice, contact the Papyrus HopelineUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.

Watch: 5 top tips to boost your mental health