Inquest into the death of former England cricketer Graham Thorpe opens

The death of Thorpe, who was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years, was announced on August 5. Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Former England batter Graham Thorpe died after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey, the opening of an inquest into his death has heard.

The 55-year-old took his own life, his wife Amanda revealed on Monday in an interview with The Times.

In the same interview, Thorpe’s daughter Kitty said the family “are not ashamed” of talking about his death, adding: “There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma.”

The area coroner for Surrey, Simon Wickens, recorded the former cricketer's cause of death as one of multiple injuries during the short hearing.

The coroner offered his “sincere condolences” not just to Thorpe’s family, but to “all those touched by his life and career”.

A date for the full inquest will be fixed at a later time.

An inquest into Graham Thorpe’s death will be opened on Tuesday Credit: PA

Tributes flooded in for one of the nation’s best Test players after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on August 5 that he had died.

Amanda Thorpe told The Times that her husband attempted suicide two years ago before taking his own life this month.

“Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health,” she told the newspaper. “But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone.

“Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better.

“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him and we are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.”

Graham Thorpe’s wife revealed the former England batter took his own life Credit: PA

Charities praised the family for being open about what happened, with the Samaritans chief executive saying it is “really important” to have honest conversations about suicide.

Julie Bentley added: “Talking openly can help to break the stigma surrounding the subject and can encourage people who are struggling to get the vital support they need.”

Thorpe was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years, first as a batter between 1993 and 2005 before he spent 12 years in coaching roles, but was admitted to hospital in May 2022 and declared “seriously ill”.

During a distinguished international career, he struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his country 182 times in all formats.

Current Test players Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Ben Duckett hailed Thorpe after the news of his death emerged, while retired England bowler Stuart Broad described him as a “wonderful person”.

If any of the issues in this article have affected you or someone you know, there is always help available:

  • Samaritans is on hand for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. They have a free 24 hour helpline on 116 123 and lots of other ways to get in touch.

  • Mind also offers mental health support between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. You can call them on 0300 123 3393 or text them on 86463. There is also lots of information available on their website.

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