The cricket world continues to grapple with the profound loss of Graham Thorpe, one of England’s finest batsmen who tragically took his own life at the age of 55 in August 2024. Nearly a year since his passing, Thorpe’s family has courageously spoken out about their beloved father, husband, and cricket legend, offering rare insights into both his remarkable career and his devastating struggle with mental health.
The Father Who Still Watches His Son’s Batting Videos
In a deeply moving interview with The Telegraph, Graham Thorpe’s father Geoff revealed the poignant way he continues to honour his son’s memory. “I love it,” says Geoff, describing the pleasure he experiences whilst watching videos of his son’s stellar cricket career. The proud father speaks of treasured moments, including Graham’s comeback hundred against South Africa at The Oval in 2003, exactly a decade after his England debut century against Australia.
“I watch the shots: the cover drives, the pulls – it’s a nice feeling,” explains Geoff. “I’ve got one video where he got a hundred in the Benson & Hedges Cup. David Lloyd was commentating and he said, ‘Watch his eyes – he’s looking at the gaps’. You watch and think, ‘Yes, that’s where the ball went'”. These precious recordings serve as a testament to Graham Thorpe’s extraordinary talent, capturing moments of brilliance that defined an illustrious 13-year international career.
Geoff’s words carry the weight of both immense pride and profound grief. “I have a lot of pride in what he did. You can’t take it away. It’s just a shame that he couldn’t cope with his mental health,” he reflects. The devastating reality that mental illness claimed such a vibrant life has driven the family to speak openly about suicide and depression, challenging the stigma that too often prevents people from seeking help.
A Cricket Career That Defined an Era
Graham Thorpe established himself as England’s batting cornerstone during the 1990s and early 2000s, a period when the national team often struggled for consistency. His Test debut in 1993 against Australia at Trent Bridge was nothing short of spectacular – he became the first England player for 20 years to score a century on debut, immediately announcing himself on the international stage.
Over his distinguished career, Graham Thorpe accumulated 6,744 Test runs in 100 matches at an impressive average of 44.66, including 16 centuries and 39 half-centuries. His left-handed batting style was characterised by elegant strokeplay and remarkable resilience under pressure. Against Australia, England’s traditional rivals, he averaged an outstanding 45.74, with this figure rising to 48.18 in Ashes Tests played in Australia.
In One Day International cricket, Graham Thorpe played 82 matches, scoring 2,380 runs with 21 half-centuries but never achieving the elusive century. This unique statistic made him the England player with the most ODI runs without reaching three figures – a record that stands today. His highest ODI score of 89 came against the Netherlands during the 1996 World Cup, where he was England’s leading run-scorer despite the team’s disappointing campaign.
The Transition to Coaching Excellence
Following his retirement from playing in 2005, Graham Thorpe seamlessly transitioned into coaching, where his impact proved equally profound. He worked initially in Australia with New South Wales, mentoring future stars including Steve Smith and David Warner, before joining England’s coaching setup in 2010.
As England’s batting coach, Graham Thorpe played a pivotal role in developing the next generation of English cricketers. Joe Root, England’s former captain and leading Test run-scorer, credits much of his success to Thorpe’s guidance. “Without his pushing my case, I may not have had the career I’ve had,” Root acknowledged. The Yorkshire batsman described how Graham Thorpe spotted his talent early and championed his cause before his Test debut in 2012.
Other notable players who benefited from Graham Thorpe’s coaching expertise include Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, and Jason Roy – all of whom went on to achieve World Cup glory and Ashes success. His ability to connect with players on a personal level whilst providing technical expertise made him one of the most respected coaches in the game.
The Devastating Decline: From Australia to Tragedy
The events that precipitated Graham Thorpe’s mental health crisis began during England’s disastrous 2021-22 Ashes tour of Australia, where the team suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat. An incident involving a leaked video of a post-match drinking session with Australian players would prove catastrophic for his wellbeing.
According to evidence presented at the coroner’s inquest, Graham Thorpe had filmed Tasmanian police breaking up the drinking party and shared the video with friends, only for it to be leaked publicly. His widow Amanda described him as “distraught, horrified, ashamed, terrified” by the incident. The fallout from this episode led to his dismissal from the England coaching staff in February 2022.
Graham Thorpe’s father Geoff told the inquest that the video incident had caused “catastrophic damage” to his son. The loss of his England coaching role, a position he had held for over a decade, marked the beginning of a devastating mental health decline. “He came back from the tour of Australia in such a terrible state,” Amanda revealed.
A Family’s Courage in the Face of Tragedy
The circumstances surrounding Graham Thorpe’s death have been laid bare through a coroner’s inquest that concluded in July 2025. The hearing revealed that he had first attempted suicide in May 2022, just months after losing his England coaching position. This initial attempt left him unconscious for three weeks and in intensive care for five weeks.
Despite receiving various forms of treatment and support, Graham Thorpe continued to struggle with severe depression and anxiety. In the weeks leading up to his death, he told his wife Amanda: “He doesn’t want to be here any more. He asked me to help him end his life. He said he wants to go to Switzerland”. These heartbreaking revelations underscore the depths of his despair.
The coroner’s inquest highlighted significant failings in the provision of mental health care in the final months of Graham Thorpe’s life. Coroner Jonathan Stevens noted that healthcare professionals should have conducted face-to-face assessments rather than offering distant appointments, particularly after learning that he was “constantly asking for help to end his life”.
Breaking the Stigma: A Day for Thorpey
In a remarkable display of courage, Graham Thorpe’s family has chosen to speak openly about his death and mental health struggles. His widow Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma are determined that some good should come from their devastating loss. “We are not ashamed of talking about it,” said 22-year-old Kitty. “There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma”.
The family has organised ‘A Day for Thorpey’ at The Oval on 1st August 2025 – what would have been Graham Thorpe’s 56th birthday – during the second day of the final Test between England and India. The event aims to raise funds for mental health charity Mind through the sale of limited-edition headbands resembling those Graham Thorpe wore during his playing career.
“That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright. He’ll go on,” Amanda told BBC Breakfast. The initiative will support ‘Thorpey’s Bat and Chat’, a programme combining cricket sessions with mental health support that will be rolled out across England and Wales.
The Lasting Legacy of an England Great
Graham Thorpe’s cricket statistics tell only part of his remarkable story. His Test batting average of 44.66 places him among England’s elite, superior to celebrated names like David Gower, Graham Gooch, Colin Cowdrey, and Michael Vaughan. He holds the England record for most runs scored batting at number five (3,373) and averaged an exceptional 62.62 in England’s 38 Test victories during his career.
Perhaps more significantly, Graham Thorpe was involved in four Test partnerships worth 250 or more runs – the only England player to achieve this feat. His sixth-wicket partnership of 281 with Andrew Flintoff stood as an England Test record until surpassed by Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in 2016.
As a coach, his influence extended far beyond statistics. Current England captain Ben Stokes wore a shirt bearing Graham Thorpe’s name during his first Test as full-time captain, following his own mental health struggles. This gesture symbolised the profound impact Graham Thorpe had on those around him, both as a player and mentor.
Mental Health in Professional Sport
Graham Thorpe’s tragic death has sparked important conversations about mental health support in professional cricket and sport more broadly. The England and Wales Cricket Board acknowledged that his passing serves as “a stark reminder of the challenges so many face with mental health”.
The circumstances surrounding his death highlight the particular pressures faced by elite athletes and coaches. The intense scrutiny, performance pressures, and lifestyle demands of international cricket can exacerbate existing mental health conditions. Graham Thorpe’s struggle began with a bout of depression in 2018, worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reached crisis point following the Australia tour incident.
His father Geoff’s observation that “sometimes us chaps are a little bit macho – think we can cope, in fact we can’t” resonates beyond cricket. The sporting world has increasingly recognised that physical fitness does not guarantee mental resilience, and that seeking help requires tremendous courage rather than representing weakness.
A Call for Better Support Systems
The coroner’s findings regarding failings in Graham Thorpe’s mental health care have prompted calls for improved support systems. The inquest heard that despite multiple treatment attempts, appropriate face-to-face assessments were not conducted in his final months. This tragedy underscores the need for more proactive and comprehensive mental health support, particularly for those showing clear signs of crisis.
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, responsible for his care, stated they would “reflect on the coroner’s findings” with a view to “continuous improvement and learning”. The case serves as a stark reminder that mental health services must be adequately resourced and responsive to those in desperate need.
The cricket community has rallied around initiatives to improve mental health support for current and former players. The Professional Cricketers’ Association and county clubs have enhanced their welfare programmes, whilst campaigns like ‘A Day for Thorpey’ help reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health.
Graham Thorpe’s legacy extends far beyond his remarkable cricket achievements. His family’s courage in sharing their story has created a powerful platform for mental health awareness. Through their advocacy and the ongoing ‘Thorpey’s Bat and Chat’ programme, his memory continues to make a positive difference in communities across England and Wales.
The man who once brought joy to cricket fans with his elegant batting and mentored the next generation of England stars now serves as a catalyst for vital conversations about mental health. His father’s simple act of watching old batting videos represents the enduring love of a family determined to honour both his cricket brilliance and his human struggles.
As the cricket world prepares for ‘A Day for Thorpey’ at The Oval, Graham Thorpe’s story reminds us that behind every sporting hero lies a complex human being deserving of compassion, support, and understanding. His tragic death must not be in vain if it helps save even one life through increased awareness and improved mental health provision.
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