Dan Walker pays tearful tribute to football legend Gary Speed 10 years after death and urges people to talk if they’re struggling

Strictly Come Dancing star Dan Walker has paid tribute to football legend Gary Speed on the 10th anniversary of his death and urged people to speak out if they need help.

Dan, who presents BBC Breakfast and was a part of Football Focus for 12 years, was a close friend of Speed’s and was left shattered by his loss after he died by suicide.

The 42-year-old Wales manager, whose stellar career saw him play for Sheffield United, Bolton, Newcastle, Everton and Leeds was found dead at his home on the morning of November 27, 2011.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Dan recalled his final moments with Speed and urged anyone struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts to speak to someone.

He said: ‘I think if Gary had spoken to somebody that night, I think he’d still be here.

‘I think that’s the hard thing.’

Gary Speed’s death in 2011 shocked the nation (Picture: AFP/Getty)

However, he said that in the decade since Speed’s loss, ‘things are different’, and men may be more likely to be open about their feelings and reach out if they are struggling.

‘What happened to Gary still makes a lot of people think about their friends and those around them, and I like to think that’s a good thing’, a tearful Dan told the programme.

Dan recalled the moment he learned about Speed’s death, just one day after they had co-hosted an episode of Football Focus and arranged to play a game of golf.

Speed’s wife Louise, and sons Thomas and Edward, were left devastated by his loss (Picture: PA)

He said he ‘couldn’t fathom’ the news, considering how normal he had perceived Speed to be acting the day before, admitting: ‘You can’t help but ask yourself whether you could have done something.

‘Whether there’s something you should have seen or whether there were signs there.’

‘But I really don’t think there were.’

Dan shared the clip to Twitter, where he was met with an outpouring of love from friends, fans and others who have been affected by suicide.

Shortly after sharing the clip to social media, Dan again took to the site to thank everyone for their support, writing: ‘I’ve been in tears most of the morning reading your responses to the Gary Speed tribute.

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‘Please watch out for your friends & family. Talking can save a life.’

Dan, who is taking part in tonight’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing, added: ‘I need to go off and get ready to dance.’

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