TOWIE alum Kirk Norcross has broken his silence for the first time following the death of his dad, Mick Norcross.
Mick was tragically found dead in January this year, at the age of 57, with an inquest this week ruling he had died by suicide after suffering from low moods and a "great deal of pressure" financially.
And while Kirk has remained silent until now on his father's heartbreaking passing, he took the opportunity to speak out at the weekend, telling fans he was doing so to help stop others who might be feeling similar to how dad was.
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Kirk told followers he was too upset to attend last week's inquest, divulging how hard it had been to swallow what had happened to his father.
He explained that he had been the one to find his father on the day of his death, and had tried to save him.
“I don’t want sympathy, I genuinely do like people caring for me and I like caring for people. But I aint doing this for sympathy," he said.
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“I was the one that found him. I’m glad that I found him in a sense.
"I know that sounds weird but I wouldn’t want no stranger, no doctors, no nurses having to deal with what I dealt with.
"My dad has manned up for me many times, it was my turn to step up for my dad, you know? I tried to give him CPR and I knew there was no bringing him back but I had to try."
Discussing how he was dealing with the grief that has followed, he added: “It feels like my dad died when I was a baby or something. All the talks and chats that I have had with my dad feels like it was a dream. But that’s just my brain telling me I’m not ready for it yet.
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“My dad was my best friend, he still is. I don’t care what anyone says my dad is my best friend. The best man I have ever met anyway.”
Kirk has previously opened up about his battle with depression, and he made no illusions about the hard road he had ahead.
"I know a lot of people who have already dealt with what I’m dealing with and said it doesn’t get better, it gets a little bit easier to deal with. Obviously the image I have got in my head will never leave me. That’s the only image I have got of my dad of how I found him."
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He added: “I’m three months sober, that’s the longest I have been sober. I was near on a year last year but then I had a little wobble when my dad went.
"But, listen, I have got to talk about this and people, if you don’t want to hear it I’m not being rude but you can unfollow me. If I can stop one person from killing themselves, I have really made an impact in this world. I love you all. Be kind, be polite and be positive.
“You have got to let it out, you have got to talk. I know many people who have lost their fathers. But I’m trying to use this. You are not alone, if you want a chat lets talk and we can get through it together.
“The mind is a mad thing, we ain't strong enough to control that on our own. That’s why we talk. That’s why we talk to people, that’s why people talk to us."
Kirk went on to describe his father, Mick, as the "strongest man" he had ever met.
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"My dad is resting," he added. "I’m now going to graft as hard as I can for the rest of my life to make myself proud and my dad proud. Do everything for my kids like my dad did. Love you all."
Prior to his death, Mick - who is father to TOWIE's Kirk Norcross - shared a tragic final post on Twitter on 21st January.
"At the end remind yourself that you did the best you could. And that is good enough," it read.
The former Sugar Hut owner first appeared on The Only Way Is Essex during the show's second series in 2011 alongside Kirk.
Mick left the show in 2013, claiming his business's involvement in the programme had damaged its reputation.
If you have been affected by Mick's story or if you are struggling in any way, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit their website here.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/ Kirk Norcross