Graham Thorpe laid to rest in private funeral after his tragic death aged 55 as tributes paid to cricket legend
CRICKET legend Graham Thorpe was laid to rest in a private funeral on Wednesday.
The beloved ex-England star, who took his own life last month aged 55, was given a send-off by family and close pals at a behind-closed-doors service in London.
The funeral was revealed by Surrey Cricket Club, where Thorpe played for his entire 17-year career.
Surrey confirmed: “Graham Thorpe was laid to rest today as family and friends attended his funeral at a private service in London.
“The service celebrated the life of the Surrey and England legend and remembered his contributions as a great player and as a great person.
“Rest in peace Thorpey.”
And the Professional Cricketers Association, which supported the star after a suicide attempt in 2022, added: “Sending our love and support to the family and friends of Graham Thorpe today as we celebrate and remember not only a great cricketer, but a great person.”
On Monday a mural in Thorpe’s honour was unveiled at Surrey’s Oval cricket ground in Kennington, South London.
Thorpe died from multiple injuries after being hit by a train in the early hours of August 4 at Esher railway station, close to his home in Surrey.
The dad of four was identified by British Transport Police using his fingerprints.
Thorpe had privately struggled with his mental health for years with his widow Amanda revealing: “Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field.
“But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone.
“Despite having a wife and daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better. He really did believe we’d be better off without him.”
Amanda, who saw her hubby made an MBE in 2007, added he was admitted to intensive care in May 2022 following a suicide attempt after being axed as England’s batting coach.
Daughter Kitty, 22, said: “It was heartbreaking to see how withdrawn he had become.”
And his youngest child Emma, 19, said: “I didn’t really realise how good he was until reading all the tributes. He hardly ever talked about his success.”
The left-hander played 100 Tests from 1993 to 2005, scoring 6,744 runs including 16 centuries.
Last week England batsman Joe Root dedicated his record-breaking 33rd and 34th Test hundreds to his former coach, adding: “Thorpey was one of those people who offered me so much.
“It was nice to be able to think of him in that moment. He’s someone I’m sorely going to miss and who I owe a lot to.
“He put a lot into my game, into my career and without his help I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now.”
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123