THE saying goes that grown men don’t cry.
But Prince William proved this week that they can.
I hope Prince William’s emotion makes other men realise that they can cry in public too[/caption]
In the UK, suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50[/caption]
And I think more should. He welled up while speaking to Rhian Mannings, whose husband took his own life just five days after the death of their son.
As they discussed the stigma of suicide and Paul’s death, the heir to the throne became teary-eyed.
He then proceeded to apologise for showing his feelings, to which Rhian replied: “No it’s fine, it’s hard and you have experienced loss yourself.”
And it is fine. It is more than fine. I hope Prince William’s emotion makes other men realise that they can cry in public too.
I am not calling for all men to blub like babies while we pass the Kleenex, but a few manly tears really could save lives.
For years — for generations — men crying, showing they are struggling, has been seen as a sign of weakness.
But it is actually killing them.
In the UK, suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 and one of the many reasons is because they are reluctant to show how they are truly feeling.
These are often men who work hard, providing for their families.
They carry on with their lives and they don’t show an inkling of weakness, which is terrifying.
And then there is a very sad and sudden end.
The unexpected death of footballer and Wales manager Gary Speed in November 2011 was one of the most shocking to so many.
He had appeared to be in fine form just hours before his death.
But this is happening every day in Britain with men who are keeping a stiff upper lip despite their inner anguish.
And nothing really says stiff upper lip more than the Royal Family, does it?
Imagine seeing Prince Philip putting his arm around someone and shedding a tear to show his compassion.
Former footballer and Wales manager Gary Speed died from suicide in November 2011[/caption]
Even the women in the family were, for years, told to keep a poker face and to set an example.
We have rarely seen King Charles show emotion. When we have, it has been at heart-rending events such as his own mother’s funeral.
Toughest times
Prince William has always tried to lead by example and has often spoken about how men need to be more open with their emotions.
But actions speak louder than words.
His tears this week could do more for men’s survival rates in this country than any trip to the GP.
He could have stopped that clip from going out on air.
I am so pleased he didn’t. It shows how truly modern our Royal Family are becoming.
We have seen celebrities such as David Beckham, Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran openly cry.
But seeing it from a member of the Royal Family in this situation feels like a major step forward.
I recently interviewed (former) Strictly star Tom Skinner — who can’t dance for toffee but he can show emotion.
Emotion has helped Tom Skinner through some of the toughest times in his life[/caption]
And it has helped him through some of the toughest times in his life.
He welled up this week as he talked to me about leaving the show.
And told me he also meets up with his mates every Friday for a beer to chat about the ups and downs of their week.
I wish more men could do that.
And that more men could be like Prince William.
Crying may once have been seen as a weakness but it should be seen as a life saver.
By telling the men in your life it is the modern way — and now, the royal way — you could help save lives too.
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Claudia is killing my bank account
I’M already loving The Celebrity Traitors. Nothing like kicking off a series by having stars dig their own graves, is there?
But what I really love is Claudia Winkleman becoming my very own stylist for this winter.
Claudia Winkleman has become my very own stylist for this winter[/caption]
Wear what she’s wearing and we pretty much know it is bang on trend.
Although I loved her Givenchy Shark lock buckle boots, they’re a bit pricey at nearly £2k (and I fear I’d be slightly mutton and lamb to pull off anything similar).
But I’ve got myself a winter cape.
I can’t wait for the next episode – my bank balance isn’t so keen.
Moans up the pole
THE member of staff who complained about Sarah Jayne Dunn’s pole dancing needs to stop being so stuffy.
The former Hollyoaks star (who has got a figure to die for, thanks to endless pole dancing) was sharing her amazing skills at an empowerment event in Cheshire when a staff member complained it was “borderline pornographic” and inappropriate.
Sarah Jayne Dunn poses for a selfie after some pole dancing[/caption]
To make it clear, she was wearing gym gear, not having tenners shoved down her thong. I imagine the staff member was jealous of her ability.
It takes a lot of skill, and abs strength, to do what she does. I hope Sarah Jayne finds somewhere less stuck-up to show off her moves in future.
Baffling booze blight
WHEN it comes to drinking, I thought that the younger generation had realised it is evil stuff and knocked it on the head.
So I found the reports this week that Britain’s workplace drinking culture is leading to a “productivity crisis” a bit baffling.
Researchers say there is an epidemic of staff calling in sick the day after going for a drink.
And the biggest offenders are said to be Gen Z workers. They’re either skiving. Or they are lightweights.
WFH with the WC
IF ever there was an advert for us getting back to the office, a house up for sale in Alton, Hampshire is it.
The £400,000 pad looks normal from the outside.
The £400,000 pad in Hampshire has an office/bathroom[/caption]
But inside, one of the bathrooms has been turned into an office and nobody has bothered to remove the actual toilet.
All signs of a work-life balance really have been flushed away.
It makes you wonder how many houses in the UK really are like this.
Terrifying.
Good on Roo
WE all know some things are bad for you – or your wallet – and Deliveroo is one of them.
Proof came this week with a report from Which? that found customers buying groceries on this, JustEat or UberEats were being ripped-off.
It is my guilty pleasure, even though The Geordie has said we need a blanket ban to save cash.
But, by the time I’ve got the reluctant child in the car, driven to Tesco, found a parking space, paid for yet another Bag for Life, dealt with the ridiculous self-checkout, got my hair wet and then returned 30 minutes later, I reckon it’s money well spent.
And, after all that, I usually wish I’d bought two bottles of wine, not one.
Gosh, I love Posh
I DEVOURED the three episodes of Victoria Beckham’s new Netflix show in one binge. And loved it.
It not only revealed the struggles to keep her fashion business growing, but gave a great insight into how she became the woman she is today.
Dealing with an eating disorder after being called fat as a child, her love of family thanks to her own solid upbringing, and her hideous lack of confidence, too, because of the abuse she’s had.
It has been horrific.
It showed one vile clip from The Alan Titchmarsh Show in 2009, with art critic Brian Sewell saying: “Beckham is wonderful at what he does. Madame Beckham comes along wearing virtually nothing and steals the photographs, steals the occasion and she’s just a common little b***h.”
She is also soon to be Lady Beckham. Which is wonderful after all she’s been through to find happiness.
Anybody who thinks social media trolling is bad now should remember that the Noughties weren’t quite as much fun as we remember.
And any celebrity who got this kind of abuse and came through it unscathed deserves a medal too.
