Coronation Street legend Charlie Lawson has candidly admitted he was close to suicide after abuse faced by his ex-wife.
The actor, 65, said his life was a "living hell" due to physical abuse he suffered in the relationship. Charlie, who is best known for his role as Jim McDonald on the popular ITV soap, admitted he couldn't see a way out of the situation at the time.
He claimed he still bears a scar from one incident and said he was prescribed pills for depression due to scenes at home.
"All I could think about was finding peace. And I meant it. I would kill myself, end it all. I was in a very scary place," he said in a shocking revelation.
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ITV)Speaking to the Sun, the Northern Irish actor claimed even his wedding day was marred by violence. He married Lesley Bond in 1999. She died aged 55 in 2010.
Charlie opened up ahead of his upcoming autobiography titled That's Life, So It Is. In the book, he opens up on the suffering he faced during his marriage.
The star continued to tell the publication how on his wedding day he had been accused of flirting with a bride who was due to get married at the idyllic Lucknam Park on the same day. He claimed his wife-to-be slapped him "so hard", causing him to almost fall over.
Despite the altercations, Charlie admitted: "I loved her to pieces but she was very, very ill, bless her."
He claimed she was addicted to prescription drugs which made her paranoid about his behaviour. Other incidents are said to include her trying to attack him with a pair of scissors. He says the moment has left him with a visible scar on his hand. It was after that he said he had thoughts of ending his own life.
"I knew life could not go on like this," he added. "Leaving her would break my heart but if I wasn’t here everything would be solved. She could move on with her life and there would be no more pain."
He confessed it was former Corrie co-star Eva Pope who helped him change his mind. The actress who played Tanya Pooley told him to get to her home and Charlie said she "saved me that night", explaining how she listened to his worries while holding him.
While Charlie admits he did return to his wife, another incident led to him pushing her to the floor. At this moment, he said he realised his fear of turning violent and ended the relationship.
Charlie is now happily married to his third wife Debbie Stanley, 60, after tying the knot last year. They have been together for 22 years and she was by his side at the time he heard of Lesley's death. She had fallen and knocked herself out before later passing of hypothermia.
Charlie explained how he got her ashes and scattered them on her favourite beach in the Highlands.
For confidential support, contact the ManKind Initiative on 01823 334244 (open weekdays 10am to 4pm). The helpline is a listening service which provides emotional support, practical information and signposting. They also have also produced a directory of local services (called the Oak Book) which support male victims and helps to find services in their community. For more information visit Homepage - Mankind
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