I am not Welsh but I am shocked and saddened by the news. So sad to see Robbie so distressed.

I loved seeing Gary on A Question of Sport. He seemed to have everything. May he rest in peace and may his family and friends take comfort in the fact he was so loved and respected.

It will be hard for Robbie to put that big smile on next week, with this in the back of his mind. Poor kids.

I don't know a lot about football so didn't know who Gary Speed was, but I saw the interview with Robbie, and the poor guy looked truly shaken and devastated. And for him to have been on tv yesterday seeming so normal and upbeat, and speaking to Robbie on the phone, it must be such a huge shock for everyone who knew of him, let alone those that knew him personally.

Losing someone to suicide must be the most awful thing imaginable. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this horrible time.

Poor Robbie - he did well to keep it together for much of that interview. One of my friends hung himself and I have never got over it. I feel for him RIP Gary and sincere condolences to his wife, children, family and friends. It is just too awful.

Very sorry for your loss. x

I know this put a dance competition into prospective but I hope Robbie remains in the show.
Ironically the entertainment the show provides inspires and delights the viewers otherwise weary lifes. I'm on strike next week, I face a problematic couple of years and this show cheers me up. This show is for working class, middle class people of all ages who deal with the stresses of life yet Strictly adds glamour and escape.
God bless you Robbie. I hope you stay x

I hope he remains in the show - though it would be completely understandable if he wanted to pull out. That interview is so sad because you can see him trying to keep it together, I was glad the news reader interviewing him was kind enough to call a stop.

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Gary Speed.

I too have experienced being close to someone whose life ended this way and feel deeply for Robbie in his feelings of helplessness at being able to be a comfort to his friend when he was, with hindsight, in desperate need.

I can only echo what was said above in that depression makes the sufferer expert at hiding the situation from their nearest and dearest and there genuinely was nothing Robbie or others could have done to prevent this tragedy.

So sad for all concerned.

RIP Gary

My heartfelt condolences go to Gary's family, friends and colleagues.

What I have read and witnessed on TV this afternoon, the man appears to have touched everybody he met, he appears to have been the total role model, the ultimate professional.

It is hard to understand how somebody can appear live on TV at tea time on Saturday and just over 12 hours later be found dead at his home by police. I thank God that I have never experienced such demons that would make me take such a drastic action, and I hope and pray to God that the poor souls who are in turmoil with depression, find the help and support that will guide them through their dark hours.

I caught the pictures of Shay Given playing through his tears, repeatedly crossing himself in memory of his dear friend.....that image was so moving. Gary's death will affect so many people. Condolences to them all.

Be strong Robbie - your interview on BBC was so brave - remember your good times and I hope you stick with Strictly and do your best in memory of your pal.

RIP Gary Speed, at rest and fighting no more x

Lovely post tealover; I completely agree with all you've said.

I, too, am someone with little knowledge of Gary Speed. From what I have been reading about him he was a wonderful and inspirational man whose death will leave a huge gap in the lives of others.

I hope that Robbie finds it in himself to continue with Strictly and in the strength and compassion he will find from his fellow competitors.

Something like this puts into stark perspective things that we perceive to be problems but in reality aren't. The dark corners of the mind of someone overwhelmed with life aren't always obvious to the onlooker.

I am sure Ola, James and the Strictly team will care for Robbie in whatever way he needs if he chooses to continue.

In the meantime I wish Robbie a soothed heart, and send my condolences to the family of Mr. Speed.

I agree. Just from the Strictly angle, if he wishes to continue, I hope they're sensible and give him something like the Foxtrot this week, a dance where he can just switch of emotionally and focus on the steps - instead of something like the Jive where he'd have to pretend to be happy.

RIP Gary and condolences to his friends and family - it puts everything in perspective.

How sad for Robbie and the mans family .May he rest in peace .

Robbie is in pieces on the radio right now

To those who don't know much about Gary, safe to say he was a player who, at his height, pretty much every fan would have been happy to have in their team - strong, skilfull and a complete leader - also looked like he had a very promising career as a manager, turning the Welsh side around

They're going to have to say something about tonight's show being pre-recorded. It's going to look so strange; with Robbie in bits today and then having him as happy as anything on the Results Show.

Just listening to 606 now (on Radio 5 Live).

Robbie's voice keeps cracking. It's terribly sad.

I don't think I fully appreciated till now the down side to celebrity status.
Poor Robbie is clearly shocked and devastated but doesn't have the privilege we have of being able to deal with it in private.
How awful to have to display it all on air while he's still raw.

That is very kind of you. Sadly any mention of such things on DS makes you realise just how many people have lost loved ones in such a tragic way. Seeing Robbie on the news looking so lost reminded me how cruel life can be sometimes.

An occasion when a spoiler for this evening is acceptable.

Robbie was close to Gary I know.

I think it's Robbie's own choice to do the show tonight - he wants to talk about Gary, pay tribute to him

There are some wonderful resources online too. This website below I know has, and is, helping many people:


http://www.moodscope.com

Thank you Heavenly, and others for your wise words.




General attitudes towards depression are a big problem. It can be difficult for people to admit to others for fear of being perceived as weak. That is, assuming you realise what is wrong with you (it can take ages for individuals to realise that they are ill and stop blaming themselves for everything that goes wrong around them!)

Take care of yourselves everyone.

I was wondering too why would Robbie put himself through such heartache by trying to keep it together on tv or radio but your right Agent Krycek he just wants to pay tribute to his friend.

I hope Robbie continues in strictly - im sure in some small way it will help him deal with Garys' death and i would think that gary would want him to continue.

Gary Speed was the most handsome of men and a fine player and appeared to be a gentleman - and we never had to read of off pitch antics. What a loss for his wife and family - and so many unanswered questions for them. I hope they can find peace in time to come.

I see.
I thought it was a previous commitment he was honouring at a bad time.
Total respect to Robbie though.

Tonights show isn't live, it was recorded yesterday.

Oh no, really!
I watched Football Focus last Saturday and it would obviously never have crossed my mind that he looked like a man that was going to hang himself some whatever hours later!

I feel very sorry for his wife, children and his extended family and friends. I know exactly what it's like to deal with suicide (if that is def what happened) and it's an intensley sad but angry and frustrating feeling for those that are left behind. Hopefully all those who loved him will eventually come to deal with it (because sometimes people never really do).