The Only Way Is Essex star Mario Falcone has revealed he tried to take his own life following a row with then girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh earlier this year.
The 25-year-old reality TV star told Now magazine he took an overdose while battling depression. He said his suicide bid was sparked when co-star Lucy was falsely told he had cheated on her with Sugar Hut honey Amy Broadbent.
Mario revealed: "Lucy's been talking about this 'big, dark secret'. It's made people think I've done horrible things to her when I haven't. I might as well tell you the whole truth. I tried to end my own life.
"I took an overdose of 40 horrendously strong painkillers that I'd got on holiday earlier this year and washed them down with half a bottle of champagne. I fell asleep and woke up at 5am being violently sick.
"Things weren't good with Lucy and we'd been living apart for a week beforehand. I was distraught. Lucy was my world. She wasn't just my girlfriend, she was my best friend. I thought, 'I've definitely lost her over something I haven't done.'"
The TOWIE star has since sought professional help for his mental health issues and says he feels 'like a different person'.
But he admitted following his suicide attempt 21-year-old boutique owner Lucy 'ran for the hills' when she realised what a 'dark place' he was in.
Mario revealed he had been 'too ashamed' to tell her what had happened at first, but it all came out during a row a week later.
He said: "I don't blame her. She's 21 with a business and her own life. She doesn't need to be babysitting her boyfriend. She told me, 'I'll always be here for you.'"
