Rupert Young, 41, was confirmed dead by a spokesperson for singing star Will, who said the family were enduring a “very difficult and sad time”. His battle was well documented with both Will – who won the inaugural season of UK show ‘Pop Idol’ in 2002 and appeared on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – and Rupert exposing the severity of his condition. The spokesperson added: “Will’s relationship with Rupert had been tough over the years at times, and they had both spoken about the mental health problems which had made it challenging.
“There were hopes he had turned a corner and they are a very loving family – and utterly devastated by his passing.”
But in one heartbreaking account of his life, Rupert made the stark revelation of exactly where his life had got to.
He told the Daily Telegraph that his depression went nearly 20 years undiagnosed, which once nearly cost his life during the Noughties.
And since watching as his brother made major breakthroughs within the celebrity and music world, he admitted that his life was far from easy.
He said: “I woke up one morning and turned on the TV.
“There was William on Richard & Judy, giving the most amazing performance of one of his songs. I had spent the night before drinking with tramps in a car park and cutting myself.
“It seemed bizarre to me that two people who are genetically the same could behave in such different ways. I realised that something had gone very wrong. But I didn’t know what, or why, and nor did anyone else.”
Eventually, doctors would pinpoint his condition and he was diagnosed with dysthymia, a condition described as a depressive mood disorder. often triggered by trauma.
JUST IN: Will Young heartbreak as twin brother Rupert dies
Before the organisation was formed, Will too opened up in the same year, explaining “it’s very tough having a family member who is an addict”.
Will himself has also endured a difficult time as he began his rise to popularity through the ITV reality series in the early Noughties.
Shortly after winning the show, Young came out as gay due to the need to pre-empt a tabloid newspaper planning a piece on his sexual orientation.
At the time, Young admitted that he had never hidden his sexuality and was comfortable with it.