Will Young reveals he is fronting a new documentary about the death of his twin brother Rupert

Will Young has revealed he is fronting a documentary about the death of his twin brother Rupert that will air next month. 

Rupert fell from Westminster Bridge in July 2020 aged 41 following a long battle with mental health and an addiction to alcohol and painkillers.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Will, 43, shared a photo of him and Rupert together and announced he would be hosting a programme for Channel 4.

Important: Will Young has revealed he is fronting a documentary about the death of his twin brother Rupert

He wrote: ‘I’m very honoured and proud to tell my brother Rupert’s story in a documentary on Channel 4 airing May 10th at 10pm. Will Young: Losing My Twin Rupert’. 

Will said he hopes the upcoming film will ‘shine a light’ on the problems people facing addiction face.

In a statement to Radio Times, he said: ‘It was very enlightening and emotional to make this film and I am extremely proud of everyone’s involvement in it.’

‘I hope it shines a light on the difficulties that so many people face today in the UK with addiction and getting the necessary help.’

Raising awareness: Will said he hopes the upcoming film will ‘shine a light’ on the problems people facing addiction face (pictured in October 2021)

Rupert died on July 30 2020, just days after he was admitted to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital on July 28, when he had been seen walking along the edge of a bridge in the capital.

St Pancras Coroner’s Court in north London was told he had been admitted to hospital four times in the week prior to his death, as he struggled with alcoholism and his mental health.

He was trying to avoid homelessness and told hospital staff that he had been attempting to contact his father for a place to stay before leaving the hospital without telling anyone, the inquest heard.

Senior coroner Mary Hassell gave a ruling of suicide at a hearing in January, finding that Rupert had intended to take his own life.

Following the conclusion of the inquest, singer Will said it had been a difficult time for himself and his family.

Family: Rupert fell from Westminster Bridge in July 2020 following a long battle with mental health and an addiction to alcohol and painkillers (Rupert and Will pictured in 2008)

‘Those working within the NHS do an amazing job under very difficult circumstances,’ he told reporters.

‘And it’s never been more hard-pressed than at the moment, of course.

READ RELATED: BBC cancer podcast host Deborah James discharged from hospital after sepsis battle

‘However, my brother is someone who had, in the months and weeks before his death, been into hospital on countless times following suicide attempts.’

Will said he was ‘astounded’ that his brother had been allowed to leave hospital two days after his suicide attempt without being referred to a consultant psychiatrist.

‘It is my belief that it must, or should have, been obvious to all concerned that he was at high risk of suicide and should have been detained under the Mental Health Act for his own safety,’ he said.

‘Had this been done, he might still be alive today. I know we are not the only family in this situation and I pray that lessons are learned from this situation and that some of these deaths are prevented in the future.’

Will said in a statement: ‘It was very enlightening and emotional to make this film and I am extremely proud of everyone’s involvement in it’ (pictured in 2021) 

Will, who was thrust into the spotlight after winning Pop Idol in 2002, attended his brother’s inquest in December where he described himself as his brother’s carer before it ‘became too much’.

Speaking at the inquest, Will said: ‘I was a carer for him, but it became too much. He could not look after himself and I did not believe he could look after his own life.

‘I feel it is difficult for me. I am someone who is pretty in control over my emotional well-being. I am a functional adult. I have done a lot of work on myself.’

The Coroner heard Rupert had an ongoing problem with alcohol and painkiller addiction which improved when he was around animals, dogs and horses in particular.

A toxicologist report showed he had alcohol in his system at the time of his death.

Tragic loss: Will previously shared a sweet snap of his late twin brother Rupert as he heartbreakingly admitted he ‘misses his best pal’

For decades, Rupert battled with his mental health, including depression and PTSD, and made many suicide threats and attempts, the inquest heard.

Will said: ‘Rupert struggled with depression and anxiety, I would say for 20 years. Over that time, more times than I can think of, there have been suicide attempts or suicide ideation.

‘Most of the time if it was threatening to jump off my roof, threatening to jump off a bridge, having a noose around his neck, having a knife […] it would be a cry for help.

‘There were few times actually that he had gone full, full, full through with it.’

Around a week before the tragedy, Will reported his brother to the police as a trespasser and Rupert was removed from the house.

He had lived with Will on and off for three years and had no other support system or friends, it was said.

Candid: Will, who was thrust into the spotlight after winning Pop Idol in 2002, attended his brother’s inquest in December where he described himself as his brother’s carer before it ‘became too much’ (pictured in 2019)