The son of the renowned England cricket figure Graham Thorpe has shared about a supportive message he received from Gareth Southgate, whom he considers a hero, following his father’s tragic passing in 2024 due to suicide. At the age of 55, just two years after losing his position as an England assistant coach, Thorpe passed away. Henry, his son, has admitted to struggling with accepting his father’s death.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Henry disclosed that he only learned the true circumstances of his father’s death six months later, and he described going through a dark period of spiraling emotions. He recounted a poignant encounter with Gareth Southgate at his father’s event, where Southgate’s message of empathy became a source of solace during a challenging time.
Henry reached out to Southgate via LinkedIn a few months later, never expecting a response. To his surprise, Southgate sent a heartfelt 500-word email and connected him with supportive individuals. Henry praised Southgate’s leadership qualities and credited him as a personal hero.
Following his father’s demise, Henry made the decision to leave his job at M&C Saatchi Merlin. Despite the emotional impact of the loss, he gained a new perspective on his father’s career and accomplishments. Reflecting on the complexities of grief, Henry expressed a mix of emotions including anger, sadness, and pride in his father’s legacy.
Graham Thorpe, who represented England from 1993 to 2005, amassed 564 caps and scored 16 test centuries during his international career. Transitioning to coaching post-retirement, Thorpe was set to lead Afghanistan but fell ill before assuming the role.
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