Graham Thorpe’s spouse believes that he could have survived if he had received more assistance from the England and Wales Cricket Board following his departure from his coaching position with the organization. Thorpe, a highly regarded batsman and former assistant coach of England, tragically took his own life in August last year after battling anxiety and depression.
During an inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking in July 2025, it was revealed that Thorpe had struggled with depression after losing his coaching job in 2022 and had previously attempted suicide. The coroner, Jonathan Stevens, highlighted deficiencies in the care provided to Thorpe by health professionals before his death and ruled it as suicide. Thorpe had been undergoing therapy for mental health issues for 18 months before parting ways with the ECB.
Stevens acknowledged that the ECB had supported Thorpe by funding treatments, hospital stays, and extending his health insurance post his departure in February 2022. Nonetheless, Amanda Thorpe, his widow, expressed her belief that more could have been done to help him feel supported during the transitional phase.
She shared her thoughts on talkSPORT, stating that if Thorpe had not felt completely uprooted from his cricketing career, he might still be alive today. Amanda emphasized the importance of having a support network during such transitions, which she believed would have made a significant difference.
Amanda Thorpe also criticized the remote support provided as inadequate, mentioning that despite seeking help for her husband, she felt that the assistance was insufficient as his mental health deteriorated.
The ECB has been approached for a response regarding the matter. Remember, if you ever need someone to talk to, the Samaritans are available 24/7. You can reach them for free at 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org. Your well-being matters.