Graham Thorpe’s daughters remember dad who would ‘get up & dance anywhere’ before depression led to suicide
GRAHAM Thorpe’s daughters have told how their dad would “get up and dance anywhere” before he took his own life.
England cricket legend Thorpe died aged 55 last week after a long and illustrious career.
Thorpe, his wife Amanda and their daughters Kitty and Emma in 2007Rex
GettyGraham Thorpe took his own life, his wife Amanda said[/caption]
Graham Thorpe in action for England against West Indies in 2004Getty
ReutersEngland and Surrey batsman Thorpe died aged 55 earlier this month[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationThorpe captained England during his illustrious career[/caption]
His wife Amanda today revealed Thorpe took his own life after suffering from depression.
The dad-of-four had been seriously ill in hospital in May 2022 after trying to kill himself.
He made a recovery but took his own life on Sunday, August 4, his wife Amanda said.
The couple’s two daughters Kitty, 22, and Emma, 19, have bravely spoken about their memories of their dad.
Kitty told The Times: “He would get up and dance anywhere to anything – he wasn’t the best dancer, but he never cared about that.”
Emma said: “He was so humble. I didn’t really realise how good he was, until reading all the tributes in the past few days.
“If someone asked him what he did, he’d say he knocked a ball about a bit.”
Amanda said: “My favourite memory of him is in Barbados, which he loved, enjoying a rum punch and listening to his favourite reggae after a swim.
“He was handsome, so handsome. He was funny and he made us all laugh so much.”
Thorpe made his international debut in 1993 and scored a century on his first Ashes appearance, becoming the first England player to do so in 20 years.
He was an England regular and went on to play 100 Tests, scoring 16 centuries and featuring 82 times for the ODI side, as well as enjoying a 17-year career with Surrey.
His final Test appearance came in June 2005 before he was omitted from that summer’s victorious Ashes series and called time on his international career.
In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away.
“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death.
“More than one of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world.
“His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his teammates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike.
“Later, as a coach, he guided the best England Men’s talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game.
“The cricket world is in mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.
“We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.”
Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better
Amanda Thorpe
Former England captain Michael Vaughan led tributes to his former team-mate.
Vaughan said: “RIP Thorpey. Thanks for all the advice throughout my career, you were a great player and a brilliant team-mate.
“You have gone far too young but you leave as an England cricket legend.”
Posting on Twitter, Vaughan added: “Thoughts with all who knew Thorpey and to all the family xxx.”
Thorpe stayed in the game as a coach after his retirement from playing.
He moved to New South Wales where he worked with a young Steve Smith and David Warner.
He later returned to work as a coach with England between 2010 and 2022.
Thorpe took charge of his country in the familiar surroundings of the Sydney Cricket Ground after Chris Silverwood was laid low by coronavirus.
He secured a nail-biting draw to avoid a seemingly inevitable Ashes whitewash.
Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health
Amanda Thorpe
Steve Elworthy, Surrey chief executive, said “Everyone associated with the club is devastated by the tragic news of Graham’s passing.
“He achieved remarkable feats for club and country and was a hero to so many cricket fans.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Graham’s family and friends, to whom we will offer any support that we are able to.
“We ask that everyone respects the privacy of the family at this incredibly difficult time.”
The Professional Cricketers’ Association shared a statement on behalf of Thorpe’s family in May 2022, saying the England legend had “fallen seriously ill” and was in hospital receiving treatment.
“His prognosis is unclear at this stage… our thoughts are with Graham and his family,” the statement read.
He is survived by his wife Amanda and four children, Henry, Amelia, Kitty and Emma.
More than one of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world
ECB
Thorpe was born on August 1, 1969 in the market town of Farnham, little more than an hour from The Oval.
He remembered being drafted by local side Wrecclesham’s Under-17s while still only eight years old.
Thorpe was spotted early by Surrey, who picked him up as an under-11.
Surrey never let him go, even when Brentford Football Club came calling with the offer of trials.
Thorpe showed enough football promise to be selected by England Schools as a ball-playing link between defence and midfield.
But he would go on to choose the summer sport and later became one of the country’s most accomplished players of spin.
