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Gusto Brunt · 15-09-2014, 08:32 AM

5 feet 7 isn't short. I'm 5 feet 8, and I get by. With shoes, 5 feet 9.

A REALITY TV star who appeared in a pop video with Myleene Klass hanged himself because he was depressed about being short, his family claimed today.

Tragic 5ft 7in-tall Jonathan McNally, 27, had signed up to appear on The Project - Birmingham's answer to The Only Way Is Essex.

But an inquest heard the personal trainer was found hanged in a friend's garden on June 1 and died in hospital six days later after slipping into a coma.

The TV show was postponed following his death.

Coroner Louise Hunt recorded a verdict of suicide.

Speaking after the inquest Jonathan's family said the dad-of-one had suffered from depression since he became conscious of his height at 15.

His sister Gina, 23, said: "He had issues with his height from a young age.

"All through school he was tiny and had tests which showed he was behind by about two years.

"He was depressed from a young age about it.

"But he eventually shot up and was around 5ft 7in.

"Other things added to the way he felt.

All this should have been picked up from when he was a child, but it never was.''

The family - who don't believe Jonathan intended to take his own life - are calling for improvements in mental health services.

Gina, from Sutton Coldfield, West Mids, said her brother had been given tablets for depression but more could have been done.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/late...-of-his-height

Kyle · 15-09-2014, 08:55 AM

Such a shame. Chronic depression is such a bastard of a thing to go through. It's hard to talk about sometimes too because it still has a bit of stigma as a 'look at me' illness.

I wonder if the mental health services were aware of his issues with his height. His family seem to be aware so it would seem crazy to me if he wasn't frog marched down to his GP when he was 15.

Gusto Brunt · 15-09-2014, 10:10 AM

I've seen much shorter men than 5 feet 7.

In fact I saw a guy last week who was only about 5 feet 2.

A lot of actors and comedians are 5 feet 7, including Griff Rhys Jones. Never hampered his life.

daniel-lewis-1985 · 15-09-2014, 01:30 PM

This is really sad.

He was actually really attractive and 5 foot 7 isn't really what I would class as short. He was obviously affected by comments made towards him. People will never learn how damaging their comments can be.

Gusto Brunt · 15-09-2014, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel-lewis-1985

This is really sad.

He was actually really attractive and 5 foot 7 isn't really what I would class as short. He was obviously affected by comments made towards him. People will never learn how damaging their comments can be.

Agreed.