Kirk Norcross opens up on dad Mick's death in "brave" interview

Note: The following article contains discussion of themes including suicide that some readers may find upsetting.

Former The Only Way is Essex star Kirk Norcross has been praised by Loose Women viewers after candidly opening up about his father's suicide last year.

Mick Norcross tragically passed away in January 2021, with son Kirk speaking about his dad on today's (January 20) edition of the ITV show and the importance of talking about mental health.

"It's weird, I don't know if people will understand," he began as he reflected on the year since Mick's passing. "It has been the quickest year ever and the slowest year ever. It's so hard to explain. I've got a bit of a mental block. I can't remember my dad being here, but I can like a dream."

Kirk admitted he still hadn't really come to terms with it, while also recalling his father's happy personality, saying he "wanted to make everyone smile around him".

He also suggested that Mick was "100 percent" going through a tough time amid lockdown last year, saying: "I believe your mind, if you're on your own, is the worst place to be in.

"Me, I really can't stress to people – you've got to let people know how you feel. You let people know when you're happy, why not let them know when you're sad?"

"He is old-school. He was a docker, he worked in the docks in the '60s and '70s and I believe that era in men, I don't know if [they think] it's a weakness," Kirk added. "It's not, you know. If my mate comes and says, 'I'm struggling', do you know how strong I think that person is?"

ITV

The star then opened up about being the person to find his father after he'd taken his own life, recalling: "I live next to my father, I was with him the night before. That morning, I was having my breakfast, and he did what he usually did, which was take a bit off my plate.

"And he was fine. He actually gave me his next business strategy and I was like, 'Brilliant, if that's what you want to do.' That afternoon he killed himself.

"I was indoors, having my lunch and I got a call from my dad's partner saying, 'I can't find your dad.' And I don't know why, even though I saw him that morning, I knew what had happened.

"We knew he was in the house, he'd locked himself in the house and I smashed through the door. I found him… I gave him CPR, I tried my best. I knew he was gone though, I knew the minute I saw him."

Niki Nikolova

He said: "It was surreal. It was like my life ended but I had so much to do at the same time. What would my dad have done in that situation? Once I gave him CPR and I knew it was done, I just laid with my father and told him it's time to rest."

Kirk revealed that he has since been diagnosed with PTSD, while also speaking of his struggles and trying to remain positive: "Everyone watching this, you have survived 100 percent of the sad days, so why can't you survive more of them?"

Speaking further of the signs, Kirk said: "My dad would get up and have a shower, put clothes on, he was a presentable person… but during lockdown he just wore a tracksuit all day, but I thought that was just lockdown.

ITV

"My dad was PMA, positive mental attitude, that was my father and it all turned negative… I did say, 'Dad, this isn't you, snap out of it'."

Of speaking out, Kirk concluded: "I'm doing it for him and everyone else. I don't want anyone else to go through what my dad had to do and what we had to go through as a family….

"Just reach out, it doesn't make you any less of a man to tell people you're struggling."

Kirk has since received a lot of praise on social media for opening up, with one viewer tweeting: "Oh my God watching Kirk Norcross on #LooseWomen is heartbreaking. Mental health is the pandemic it needs to be made a priority!"

ITV

"What an emotional interview with Kirk norcross on @loosewomen," another added. "The stigma needs to stop when it comes to talking about depression. Especially for men who are ashamed for talking about it. Hope this interview brings more awareness."

Another viewer said: "So brave of Kirk Norcross to speak out on #LooseWomen. Sending him and the Family lots of love and hugs."

"Omg Kirk's interview today is heart breaking you are so brave to talk about your sad loss so publicly," another wrote. "Stay strong keep talking get the help you need, sending you a big hug."

We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Loose Women weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV and ITV Hub.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io