Warning: The following article contains a discussion of depression that some readers may find triggering.
Jimmy Constable is bravely opening up about his journey back from depression and addiction following 911's split.
The boyband topped the UK singles chart with 'A Little Bit More' back in 1999, a career high that made 911 members Simon 'Spike' Dawbarn and Lee Brennan's 2000 decision to walk away a crushing blow for Constable.
"I couldn't handle it, waking up without a schedule sheet under my door," Constable explained in a special Bank Holiday edition of Loose Women.
"I started drinking heavily and I got to the point where I didn't feel drunk anymore so I was looking for that next buzz, which for me was cocaine. And then depression set in."
He went on to recall: "The biggest thing for me was knowing what you'd leave behind with your family. But when you're sitting there at the end of bed with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a load of tablets, not knowing what I'm going to do there…
"The only thing that kept me there was my mum and dad and everyone who knew me. Knowing what it would do to them. People have to be applauded for getting past that point."
Jimmy ultimately bounced back and even reformed 911 for The Big Reunion, before launching a solo career with a crowd-funded album called Road to Evolution.
"What got me through it was song writing, and slowly letting people into my life. It wasn't deep therapy, but talking to people," he explained.
"Obviously my wife, bless her, put up with me. She's the rock, I guess it's like all women, you're all multi-talented while men do things and think, 'I'll look at the consequences later'."
To help crowdfund Jimmy Constable 's new album Road to Evolution, click here to visit his PledgeMusic campaign.
Readers affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans free on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
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