TOWIE's Mario Falcone reveals he is returning 10 year reunion series – despite causing his breakdown and suicide attempt
TOWIE star Mario Falcone reveals he is returning for tonight’s ten year anniversary show even though the ‘toxic’ reality programme contributed to his breakdown and attempted suicide.
Mario was known as the party loving lothario of the programme and his relationship with Lucy Mecklenburgh was one of the most talked about in television history.
But he admits gruelling schedules, vile abuse on social media and his very public relationship break-up led to his mental health breakdown and suicide attempt in 2013, when he took an overdose of pills.
Mario told the Sun on Sunday: “Back in the day we were going out all the time. Drinking, getting up to all sorts and that doesn’t help your mental situation at all.
“It was not every night but it was a lot in my mid-20s. It was every weekend and maybe one night in the week as well.
“We used to go to do a PA – in Scotland, Manchester all over the country – then travel back and go straight to filming. It was intense and it took a toll on my mental health. When you’re younger you think you’re invincible.”
Mario, 32, who is speaking out to mark Suicide Awareness Day next week (10th), quit Towie two years ago, five years after his suicide attempt.
He was reminded of just how close he came to losing it all when his friend, Love Island star Mike Thalassitis, took his own life aged 26 in March last year.
Mario said: “When they first started, reality TV shows were definitely more toxic and based on drama.
“That constant drama was a massive trigger for my anxiety and depression.
“Another is social media. People used to write really vile things to me on Twitter with one saying, ‘I hope you die of cancer.’
“You would be arrested if you said something like that on the street.”Now he fears for pal and TOWIE co-star James ‘Arg’ Argent, 32, who receives abuse online.
Mario said: “Arg is such a nice gentle soul. The people who say horrible stuff to him are part of the problem.
“There is all this toxic s**t, people calling him fat online, that has been one of his biggest catalysts over the years.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others.
You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
“How many more people are going to die before someone does something about this?”
While Mario is returning for the reunion show – Towie Turns 10: All Back – his ex Lucy and love rival 33-year-old Mark Wright – who is now married to TV star Michelle Keegan – won’t be. Mario and Lucy, 29, split in 2012 after he found out she was cheating with his pal Mark.
Fans might assume this would be a relief for Mario.
But he said: “I think it’s a shame for the fans that he and Lucy are not taking part.
“I was an idiot in my 20s. I wasn’t ready to settle down and hence the cheating and the bad behaviour.
“Mark was a d*** back then just like I was a dick – we were dicks.
“We were young boys living the dream.
“We were both associated as being womanisers but look at him now. He is a good man now and it’s a journey I applaud.”
Mario says he and Lucy were pressured into getting engaged on the show.
He said: “We were too young. We were vulnerable.
“The relationship was real but I wouldn’t have had a girlfriend at 21 or 22 – no chance – and it shouldn’t have happened.
“The engagement was because of the pressure, it wasn’t my decision. I had people in my ear saying, ‘This is what you need to do.’
“If it had taken place outside of TOWIE a lot of things wouldn’t have happened. I was way too young and immature. When I look back, I see myself as an actor on that show.”
Since leaving, Mario’s life has transformed. He is due to marry hair salon boss Becky Miesner, the mother of his 22-month-old son Parker, next year.
He said: “I am a completely different person now. I have gone from someone that was clinically depressed and trying to take his own life, to being so happy and getting married.
“I have good people around me, I am settled.
“Meeting Becky was a massive turning point. She – and Parker – give me purpose and structure.
“I realised I can’t be a good dad or a partner if I’ve been out all night partying – it messes with your head too much.
“I’m happy now. I’m not into the flash stuff. I’m so proud of how much I have grown as a person and as a father and I want people – the TOWIE fans – to see how I have changed.
“I know now that partying doesn’t make you happy. I rarely go out. I went out last week for a Turkish and a couple of beers and I was in bed by ten…at night!”
Do you need help? Contact The Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
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