Rupert passed away in 2020 at the age of 41.
*Content note –Â this story contains details of suicide, depression and addiction.*
A new documentary will see Will Young discuss the pain of losing his twin brother Rupert.
In the Channel 4 film, titled Will Young: Losing My Twin Rupert, the singer speaks about their relationship towards the end of of Rupert’s life.
The film airs on May 10 on Channel 4 at 10pm.
Rupert passed away in July 2020 at the age of 41. Prior to his death, he was suffering from depression and addiction issues. An inquest had previously found that Rupert had been admitted to hospital four times in the week before his death.
In the documentary, Will speaks about living with Rupert during his addiction.
Recalling that time, the singer says: “My day would start. Either he was sick or he would have peed on the sofa, so I’d have to clear that up, then go get more beers and codeine because he was addicted to painkillers.”
He had reported Rupert to the police as a trespasser and had him removed from his home. In discussing the difficult decision, Will said that he felt he had done everything he could have to help him.
On Friday, Will spoke about how he misses his brother on BBC One’s Breakfast on Friday.
He said: “I miss my brother, he was my twin and my best friend, but I don’t miss the alcoholic.”
He also spoke about how he hopes the documentary will shine a light on the reality that is alcoholism.
He said: “I don’t think alcoholism is spoken about enough and it is important to speak out about what it is like to live with someone who has alcoholism in the family, and what that can do to a family.
“We are a very private family but we were all on the same page about wanting to tell our story in a non-sensationalised way to show people that they are not alone.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can phone The Samaritans on 116 123. Information relating to addiction services in Ireland can be found right here.
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