Emmerdale’s bad boy Jamie Tate is played by Alexander Lincoln, after he bagged the role on the show in 2019.
Behind the scenes however, the actor has faced his own share of tragedy, after losing his father at a young age.
The 26-year-old took to Instagram last year to open up about the feeling “numb” and “negative” after the death of his dad.
He opened up to his followers for World Mental Health Day (October 10) and poured his heart out as he recalled the period after his dad tragically passed and his struggle to come to terms with his loss.
(Image: ITV)
Alexander explained that he was speaking out to highlight that mental illness does not discriminate and to encourage others in similar situations to reach out for support if they need to.
He shared a sweet photo of himself as a young boy in the arms of his father as they beamed for the camera.
Alexander began by penning: “It’s World Mental Health Day today.
(Image: ITV)
“A day to highlight the struggle that many of us go through and to open up a conversation; because at one time or another, whether because of a catalyst or not, we have all struggled with our own mental health.”
He continued to admit that he waited a long time to seek help and instead “made jokes” to deal with his grief and heartbreak.
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“Though I had never sought help before, after my father passed away I felt numb and I didn’t seek help for a long time. I felt like I didn’t need to talk about it all that much, I made jokes as a way of coping-and I felt like that was me dealing with the loss and the overwhelming negativity,” he wrote.
Alexander went on to credit “opening up more” and taking up valuable support from loved ones as a way of helping to feel “more set” in his grief.
He explained: ”But now, after opening up more about it, over a year later I feel more set in my grief and I feel like I own it rather than it owns me.
“It’s an uphill struggle always, but with support from those around you and (most importantly) talking honestly and openly we can all get to grips with our own truths and find the light to show us through the dark.”
He concluded by asking people to reach out to those suffering from similar issues, writing: “Show some support to someone who may be struggling, reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. It can make such a difference.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV at 7pm
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
