Come Dine With Me contestant Nicholas Paul Blything was found dead at home by his brother, an inquest heard.
Nicholas was 36 when he died on June 15, 2022 at his home on James Clarke Road, Winsford. The news was shared to fans of the Channel 4 cooking show last year and an episode featuring him aired on November 4 as heartbroken viewers paid special tribute to him.
An inquest into Nicholas' death was held in Warrington on Monday, January 9 where area coroner Claire Welch confirmed that his brother Richard found his body in a bedroom. It was heard how two suicide notes were also found at the scene and a dog cage was found on the bed.
READ MORE: Woman's tragic Snapchat message sent moments before taking own life
A Cheshire Police statement from Detective Sergeant Paul Davies, read out by area coroner Claire Welch, said: "Nicholas' brother Richard Blything had attempted to speak to him after his sister had raised concerns that Nicholas had not been in touch. It was Richard who found him and provided police with the formal identification.
"He had entered the property without the need of the key because it was unlocked and he had been around to see neighbours, who had a spare key. As he entered he couldn't hear the dog barking, which was unusual, and he found his brother in the top bedroom."
Nicholas, who had been unemployed at the time of his death, had suffered with his mental health for a number of years, Cheshire Live reports, and had been diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). He had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act after an incident in North Wales on April 8, in which he told a friend that he "might as well throw himself off a cliff".
Since then he had been receiving treatment and was in contact with his GP, the local mental health team and had made a number of calls to the Crisis line. But statements from his family and medical professionals said he had been "improving" and that there were no signs he was intending to take his own life, despite suffering from anxiety and low mood.
A statement from Richard Blything, read out by Mrs Welch, said: "In recent months, subsequent to the incident in April and being sectioned by the mental health team, he had been depressed and anxious about his future. But once he started on anti-depressants, his mood had lifted.
"Richard was asked by the mental health team if he thought Nicholas would take his own life, to which he said 'no' because he genuinely never felt he would.
"In the days before he passed away, he was very buoyant. He collected the dog from his parents, collected plants for his garden, had been mowing his lawn, cleaning his home, sorting out his food shop, said he had a good weekend and that he was going to catch up with him (Richard) in the week. Richard said that it sounded like his brother was 'coming back to the best he had heard him for years'."
Mrs Welch added that Nicholas had been in a "dark place" in April but that he had been "improving" and his brother said Nicholas had been making plans for the future. But she said: "Taking into account the presence of a number of notes.... I am satisfied that there is no other explanation for him to have done what he did on that day in question."
She also said the nature of his death was evidence of an intent to take his own life and she concluded that Nicholas had died as a result of a suicide. The medical cause of death was given as 1A hanging.
Back in November, tributes came pouring in as viewers paid tribute to the popular contestant, the Mirror reported. One viewer took to social media and called him a "beautiful interesting human".
Another added: "I am so sorry to read the sad news of your passing. You threw yourself in 100% to Come Dine with Me and I can only imagine you lived your life that way. We didn't know you but you appeared a most beautiful interesting human on the show. Our love to your family and friends."
A third wrote: "Rest in peace Nicholas... just watched you on CDWM with my 16-year-old son, so sad to read the end message... we thought you were brilliant and hoped you would win. Sending thoughts and prayers to your family and friends."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Read next:
Schoolgirl kicked and punched in head in sickening attack at party
Tempers flare in court as boy, 14, found guilty of murdering teen
Man's chance meeting with woman on night out ruined his entire life
Heartbreak as 'caring soul' mum and radio presenter dies
Liverpool woman travels two hours to buy Prime drink for £100 at Wakey Wines
