Child of Fast Show actor found dead at Oxford after leaving heartbreaking note

WARNING DISCUSSES SUICIDE: Cal Shearer, a neuroscience PHD pupil who volunteered for the Samaritans, was recovered dormant successful their country astatine St John's College successful Oxford connected October 30

The "brave and beautiful" kid of a erstwhile Fast Show histrion and TV presenter took their ain beingness portion studying astatine Oxford University.

Cal Shearer, 25, a neuroscience PHD student, was recovered dormant successful their country astatine St John's College connected October 30. Cal, who was autistic and transgender, “radiated warmth to each those astir them,” loved ones said pursuing the tragic loss. They volunteered connected the phonelines for the Samaritans helpline but had battled with their ain intelligence wellness issues for galore years, their household said.

Their decease came aft a agelong conflict to find attraction successful a conflict their household described arsenic the “all excessively prevalent but not yet understood situation of suicides amongst autistic radical identifying arsenic trans”. Cal near down a enactment reading: “I emotion you and I cognize however loved I am. I americium fortunate to person truthful overmuch emotion surrounding me.”

Cal’s parents are erstwhile Fast Show histrion Paul Shearer and erstwhile children's TV presenter Vicky Licorish. Oxford's Coroner's Court heard connected Monday that Cal had been astatine Leckford Road successful Jericho connected October 30. The origin of their decease was fixed arsenic hanging and a afloat inquest was scheduled to beryllium held connected March 10 adjacent year.

Actress and movie shaper Vicky paid a heartfelt tribute to her youngest child, sharing photographs of Cal successful happier times. She wrote: “Our brave, beautiful, blazingly clever, wickedly comic and endlessly compassionate Cal sadly mislaid their conflict with intelligence wellness this week. There are nary words.”

A memorial gait has raised thousands of pounds successful Cal’s representation for The Samaritans and Gender Intelligence, a trans rights charity. “Cal's passing is simply a tragic nonaccomplishment to everyone who knew them,” a household connection connected the leafage read. “They had truthful overmuch to offer, but the symptom of their interior turmoil proved excessively large for them to bear.”

They added: “Many walked beside Cal during the years they privately struggled with their intelligence health. Imogen, Cal's agelong word friend, past spouse and, past year, woman ne'er near their side. “Now moving for the NHS, Imogen tried to unafraid Cal the close attraction for this each excessively prevalent but not yet understood situation of suicides amongst autistic radical identifying arsenic trans.” Tributes flooded successful from chap students and volunteers who had worked alongside them. “Cal, I americium truthful grateful to person had the accidental to cognize you,” said one. “You worked truthful hard to uplift others contempt your ain struggles.”

The Samaritans is disposable 24/7 if you request to talk. You tin interaction them for escaped by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or caput to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.