More tragic details have emerged about the death of Take Me Out contestant Charlie Watkins

Charlie Take Me Out

by Aimee Jakes |
Published on

Charlie Watkins tragically passed away before his episode of Take Me Out aired.

An inquest into the death of Charlie Watkins has taken place today.

Charlie was a contestant on Take Me Out, but tragically committed suicide shortly on 13 March just before his show aired on 23 April.

It was revealed that the 22-year-old, who was a criminology graduate from York University, lost his job at a local chocolate museum due to the four days he took off for filming the dating show in Kent in November 2016.

WATCH: Charlie Watkins' date | ITV/ Take Me Out

He had been working at York Chocolate Story "for a few months" after completing his degree, and "really loved" his job, according to Charlie's lacrosse team mate and housemate Swabir Abdul Rahmam.

He told the inquest: "But when he went to go film for the Take Me Out TV programme, he lost his job - they terminated his contract.

"He then had nothing to do apart from stay around the house and play on the XBOX and Playstation. He would have spent that time at work."

Unfortunately, Charlie lost his job as he was still in his probationary period. His twin brother Harry told the inquest that he had been unable to tell his work where he was as he wasn't allowed his phone with him whilst filming the show.

However, this has been refuted by the production company Thames TV, who said that phones were required to be turned off for short periods of time as with any filming or interviews, but that they were not banned.

Swabir, who was close friends with Charlie, was the one to discover his body after Charlie had hanged himself in his room.

He told the inquest that he had used a credit card to open Charlie's door, where he found his body hanging by his tie on the back of his bedroom door.

He said: "I then felt his body and it was cold, I pulled down on what felt like a rope and his body was wedged behind the door.

"I knew Charlie was dead - panic then set in and I called for an ambulance."

Charlie Take Me Out
Take Me Out viewers fell in love with the cheeky chappy, who bagged a date with Jo-Tara (Credit: ITV/ Take Me Out)

Charlie's family and friends told the inquest that he had previously self-harmed and had taken anti-depressant medication, but that "those days were behind him".

At the time of his death, his family released a statement which read: "We have lost a very special young man who sadly never recovered from the tragic loss of his mother when he was only nine years old.

charlie-watkins-suicide-take-me-out
Charlie was well-loved by all his friends (Credit: SWNS) ©SWNS

Paddy McGuinness, who hosts the popular TV dating show, dedicated the episode of Take Me Out to Charlie, which aired at the end of April.

Paddy called him a "fantastic lad" and tweeted to his 253k followers: "Tonight's Take Me Out is in memory of Charlie. A fantastic lad who I'm sure will be greatly missed by his wonderful friends & family. RIP."

Thames TV also issued this statement: "This is a tragic incident and our sympathy is with Charlie’s family," adding that they had checked with Charlie's family before airing the show.

Charlie Take Me Out
Paddy paid tribute to Charlie, who passed away before his show aired (Credit: Twitter/ Paddy McGuinness)

READ MORE | Take Me Out: 22 things you didn't know about the hit show

The episode saw Charlie as one of the single men seeking a date from the 'flirty thirty', he successfully got a date and he chose Jo-Tara to accompany him in the Isle of Fernandos.

A Thames spokesperson said: "It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the tragic news regarding Charlie.

"Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family and friends. We ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time."

You can donate to The Charlie Watkins Foundation, who are working to provide vital grant funding to help assist young people with mental health issues across the country.

Did you watch Charlie's episode of Take Me Out? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.

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