Shameless star Tina Malone has heartbreakingly revealed that her army veteran hubby took his own life due to PTSD, and she’s now setting up a charity in his memory.
Her husband Paul Chase tragically passed away just two months back, on March 13, at the age of 41. In the year leading up to his death, he was battling severe mental health issues.
Tina confesses: “I’ve not spoken about this publicly until this minute. It’s the first time I’ve said it and confirmed it. Paul did commit suicide. I believe in transparency.”
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Actress Tina, 61, who shot to fame as Mo McGee on Brookside and later as Mimi Maguire on Shameless shares: “I’ll never get over it. I miss him so badly and I love him so much. One thing I know… he’s in a better place than here.”
Paul, who was part of the 22nd Regiment of the Cheshires, saw action in places like Northern Ireland, Belize, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Falklands. His Army mates called him “Chevy” after his last name Chase, and he dedicated ten years to serving his country, reports the Mirror.
However, it was his internal battles that ultimately claimed his life. When the police arrived at their Liverpool home, Tina had a gut feeling something was wrong.
She recalls: “Paul hadn’t come home the previous night. I heard sirens, saw flashing blue lights, and I knew.”
Despite their 21-year age difference, Tina and Paul tied the knot following a whirlwind romance that began at a boot camp in 2009. At 50, Tina gave birth to their daughter Flame, who is now 10. She admits: “If I didn’t have Flame I really wouldn’t want to be here.”
Detailing the extent of her son’s struggle with worsening anxiety and depression, Paul’s mother revealed his anguish drove him to substance abuse: “He felt lost, he felt useless. He couldn’t fight anymore. Drugs weren’t recreational. Drink wasn’t social.”
Tina was inspired by family and friends rallying around, cooking, shopping, and helping with funeral costs. She says: “His comrades, some still serving, came to see me from all over the UK. Mrs Wilson and Mrs Reagan, from Flame’s school in Woolton, were incredible in supporting her.”
My priest, Fr Tim Buckley from St Mary’s, and all his staff were phenomenal with kindness and care. ” Tina had just come out of Celebrity Big Brother when she met Paul at the Peak District boot camp where he was a personal trainer. She says: “There was me, no lashes on, sweating, looking like nothing on earth… but we talked and talked.
We chatted about his Army time, particularly Iraq. He didn’t know who I was, that I’d just come out of Celebrity Big Brother. We just got on.”
(Image: WireImage)
Tina, a mother to 42-year-old Danielle and grandmother to seven-year-old Dorothy, tied the knot with Paul in an extravagant ceremony in Manchester. Before his mental health took a turn for the worse, their life was idyllic.
She reminisces: “We travelled all over the world we swam with sharks in Hawaii, partied with the craziest people in LA.”
Despite medical advice, they decided to have Flame through IVF. Tina fondly remembers Paul being an exceptional father.
She shares: “He was fun. He’d let her ride her bike down the hill without me knowing, sneak her out to McDonald’s. They’d climb trees in the woods opposite our home together. But early on she realised the impact of what he had seen in combat.
(Image: WireImage)
She says: ” However, she soon realised the toll his combat experiences had taken on him. She reveals: “He’d concealed his PTSD, but imagine if you’ve been at war and you can’t count how many people you killed. How do you come back? He loved the Army but it left him scarred.”
Paul’s work assisting troubled teenagers dwindled, and his self-esteem plummeted. Tina admits: “The last 12 months were hell, a rapid downward progression.” His gym visits ceased.
(Image: Sunday Mirror)
She continues: “He was using prescription drugs and cocaine, he borrowed money and he lied. He was desperate.”
After a brief separation, they got back together. Following attempts by Paul to end his own life, he was admitted into psychiatric care in hospital.
However, due to bed shortages, he was transferred to an “under pressure” community facility. He also received specialist assistance for veterans struggling with addiction and collaborated with The Block, a community interest company that supports armed forces veterans.
(Image: Sunday Mirror)
However, his unpredictable moods led to arguments, including a dispute over money the day before his death though they reconciled. Tina revealed: “He thought he was a drain on me, he said he was no good for me. It was awful.”
One of his final actions was to prepare a meal for Flame.Tina remembered: “Then he kissed me, said, ‘See you later’, and went out. Hours later he was dead.”
Speaking about her charity, Paul’s Flame, she said: “I want it to shine a light on people in poverty and in crisis. The single mum who needs a new washing machine, someone who has come out of the army and needs a microwave. I saw for myself when Paul died how a community came together. Paul would be extremely proud.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
