An inquest into the tragic death of Graham Thorpe has revealed that a leaked video from the 2021-22 Ashes series inflicted “catastrophic damage” on the mental health of the former England cricket legend. Thorpe was found dead in August 2024, two-and-a-half years after England’s 4-0 series defeat in Australia, which led to his dismissal as England’s assistant coach.
The incident that sparked the controversy occurred off the field when police intervened at 6 a.m. to disperse post-series drinks at a Hobart hotel. The gathering included notable players such as Joe Root, Jimmy Anderson, Alex Carey, Travis Head, and Nathan Lyon. The footage, captured by Thorpe, was leaked and subsequently traced back to him, leading to widespread media attention.
According to reports from the UK, the Surrey Coroner’s Court heard during the inquest that Thorpe was “distraught, horrified, ashamed,” and “terrified” following the leak. His wife, Amanda, provided a statement to the court, revealing that Thorpe had apologized to all involved but remained “very stressed” about the incident.
The Strain of Public Scrutiny
Thorpe had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression as early as 2018, conditions that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. His mental health further deteriorated during the 2021-22 series in Australia, exacerbated by the country’s strict lockdown measures and the intense pressure of the series.
Amanda and Thorpe’s father, Geoff, believed he should not have participated in the tour, acknowledging that staying in England might have been equally challenging. Amanda stated, “Really thinking about it… because he went on that tour, he was dismissed. That ultimately was what he couldn’t deal with.”
“I don’t think he realised how ill he was. He wishes he hadn’t gone because of all that happened after,” Amanda added, according to The Telegraph.
Career and Personal Downfall
Thorpe’s dismissal from his coaching position was described as a “real shock” to the former cricketer. In a statement to the court, his father Geoff highlighted the “catastrophic damage” caused by the leaked video, noting that Thorpe’s life “came crashing down” following his termination.
The court heard that Thorpe “felt a failure, spiralled into depression,” and experienced anxiety, insomnia, a loss of appetite, and overwhelming guilt. He declined a coaching role with the Afghanistan national team in 2022 due to his deteriorating mental health.
Tragically, Thorpe made his first suicide attempt in April 2022, less than three months after losing his job with England, and was hospitalized for several weeks. On August 4, 2024, he left his home and was never seen alive again.
Legacy and Continuing Inquest
Assistant coroner Jonathan Stevens remarked, “Things continued to go downhill, he was really struggling, had anxiety and insomnia and it was all really dark.” Amanda shared with the court, “He was really suffering – it was awful to see – he just felt that no one could help him.”
In the weeks leading up to his death, Thorpe reportedly asked his wife to assist him in seeking help at an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland. His illustrious cricket career saw him play 100 Tests for England between 1993 and 2005, averaging 44.66 with 16 centuries to his name.
The inquest into his death continues, shedding light on the severe mental health challenges faced by athletes under public scrutiny and the need for comprehensive support systems.
