15/01/2019
Craig Charles, a familiar face to millions from his iconic roles in Coronation Street and Red Dwarf, is known for his vibrant personality and versatile career. Yet, beneath the public persona lies a history of profound personal challenges and heart-wrenching loss. One of the most poignant chapters of his life unfolded while he was thousands of miles away from home, deep in the Australian jungle, participating in ITV’s 'I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!'. It was during this period that Craig received news that would irrevocably alter his world: the sudden death of his beloved brother, Dean Charles.
While the immediate details of his brother's passing were communicated to him during his stint on the reality show, prompting his withdrawal, the deeper, more painful revelations about their relationship and the immense regret he carried were shared much later. In a remarkably candid interview with John Bishop for his series ‘In Conversation With’, the 53-year-old Scouser opened up about the turbulent currents that have shaped his life, including the tragic circumstances surrounding Dean’s death and his own past struggles with crack cocaine.
The Heartbreaking News from the Jungle
For many viewers, Craig Charles’s abrupt departure from the 2014 series of 'I’m A Celebrity' was a moment of shock and sympathy. It was confirmed at the time that he had left due to a family bereavement. What wasn't fully understood then was the depth of the personal tragedy that had struck. Craig later recounted the immense pain he experienced whilst in Australia, grappling with the news of Dean’s death. The timing was particularly cruel, as he revealed in his interview with John Bishop that he and Dean had been estranged prior to his jungle adventure.
The former Coronation Street star disclosed that a significant family disagreement had caused a rift between them, leading to a period where they were not speaking. Dean, in an attempt to reconcile, had sent Craig a couple of text messages before he entered the jungle. Craig, feeling overwhelmed and perhaps believing he had more time, admitted to ignoring these vital overtures. “He texted me a couple of times before I went in (I’m A Celebrity) saying ‘Craig, it’s Dean, just wanna chat, blah, blah, blah’,” Craig recalled with palpable regret. “And I’ve kind of ignored him. I thought ‘I can’t really deal with this right now. What I’ll do is, I’ll go in the jungle, do that, come back out and we’ll all be together by Christmas’.” A pause, heavy with sorrow, preceded his final, heartbreaking admission: “And, um … that never happened.” This profound sense of regret over the missed opportunity for reconciliation undoubtedly amplified the grief he felt upon learning of Dean’s sudden passing.
Dean Charles: A Brother's Life and Legacy
The bond between Craig and Dean was forged in their early years, growing up together on the Cantril Farm estate, now known as Stockbridge Village. Craig spoke fondly of their shared childhood, particularly the first 16 years where they shared a bedroom. Dean, being older and physically stronger, often acted as Craig’s protector. “He always fought my battles because he was bigger than me,” Craig reminisced. Their shared space was a sanctuary for dreams and disappointments. “We used to share a bedroom together and we used to share our hopes and dreams and like plans for the future and our disappointments and everything.” This intimate portrait of their early life underscores the profound connection that was later severed by the family disagreement.
Dean Charles was not just Craig’s brother; he was a man of integrity and courage in his own right. He served as a policeman, a career that tragically became unviable when he steadfastly supported Craig during a period of false rape allegations. This act of unwavering loyalty speaks volumes about Dean’s character. After leaving the police force, Dean transitioned into teaching, continuing to contribute positively to his community. His death in 2014 was shockingly sudden and unexpected. Craig described his brother as being “fit as a fiddle,” regularly cycling to work. It was on one such ordinary day that tragedy struck. “Cycle into work, got into the changing rooms, dropped dead. He had a blood clot which reached his heart, boof, dead.” The suddenness of Dean’s passing, coupled with the unresolved issues between the brothers, left an indelible mark of grief and unfulfilled hopes on Craig.
Facing Personal Demons: Addiction and Recovery
The candid interview with John Bishop also delved into another dark period in Craig Charles’s life: his struggle with crack cocaine use. In 2006, while a prominent figure on Coronation Street, Craig was infamously pictured in the Mirror smoking the drug in a car. This public downfall led to a stint in The Priory, a well-known rehabilitation clinic. Craig openly referred to this period as “one of the lowest points of my life,” but crucially, he contextualised it not as a moral failing, but as a desperate coping mechanism during times of intense grief.
He revealed a troubling pattern linked to profound loss: “When me mum died I got into drugs; when me dad died, I did again.” The pressures of his demanding career – working 14-hour days, constantly travelling – combined with the emotional void left by his parents’ deaths, created a perfect storm for self-medication. “I was like stuck in this little flat in Manchester missing my family, working like 14 hours a day, then travelling vast amounts of motorways all the time like that. So you know, it was just a way of coping like.”
However, Craig’s journey through addiction was not one he walked alone. He credits his recovery to an incredibly strong support system, particularly his wife, Jackie. “I was dead lucky that I had a wife, Jackie, who I adore and adores me, I had, I had kids who know what I’m really like, and I had a reason to get better, if you know what I mean.” He also acknowledged the understanding and support from his employers and colleagues, who chose compassion over condemnation. “I had a job that I loved and I had enough people who knew what I was like to say, let’s care about him, let’s get him well, rather than let’s sack him.” This network of love and professional understanding proved instrumental in his path to healing.
Craig’s reflections on his addictive personality offer a fascinating insight into his current success. He recognises that addiction itself isn't inherently negative; it’s about what one chooses to be addicted to. “I’m dead addictive. You know, you’ve got positive and you’ve got negative addictions, haven’t you?” he mused. Having overcome the negative, he now channels his intensity into positive pursuits. “So like I am now addicted to like positive addictions, you know. Like I work a lot; I love funk and soul, I get obsessive about it.” This passion is evident in his hugely popular funk and soul radio show on BBC 6Music and his continued success with new series of Red Dwarf, showcasing his remarkable resilience and ability to transform past struggles into fuel for future triumphs.
Beyond the Headlines: A Life of Resilience
Craig Charles’s story is a powerful testament to human resilience in the face of adversity. From the shared dreams of childhood on Cantril Farm to the public scrutiny of his career and personal struggles, he has navigated a life marked by both profound joy and deep sorrow. His candidness about his brother’s death and his past battles with addiction serves not only as a personal catharsis but also as a source of understanding and connection for others facing similar challenges. His ability to rebuild his life, find new passions, and maintain a successful career, all while carrying the weight of past regrets, highlights a remarkable strength of character. Craig Charles continues to be a beloved figure in UK entertainment, not just for his talent, but for his honesty and the powerful, inspiring narrative of his life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Did Craig Charles discuss his brother's death on 'I'm A Celebrity'?
A1: Craig Charles learned of his brother Dean's death while he was in the 'I'm A Celebrity' jungle, which led to his immediate withdrawal from the show due to bereavement. While the pain of this loss was undoubtedly felt during his time there, the detailed revelations about their estrangement and his personal regret were shared later in a candid interview with John Bishop, not directly on the reality show itself.
Q2: What was the cause of Craig Charles's brother's death?
A2: Craig's brother, Dean Charles, who was described as being "fit as a fiddle," died suddenly from a blood clot that reached his heart. He collapsed in the changing rooms after cycling to work.
Q3: What was the relationship like between Craig Charles and his brother before his death?
A3: Tragically, Craig revealed that he and his brother Dean had fallen out due to a family disagreement and were not speaking prior to Dean's death. Craig expressed deep regret over ignoring Dean's attempts to reconcile via text messages before he entered the jungle.
Q4: Why did Craig Charles start using crack cocaine?
A4: Craig explained that his crack cocaine use was a coping mechanism during periods of intense grief, specifically after the deaths of both his mother and his father. He also cited the pressures of his demanding work schedule and feeling isolated in Manchester as contributing factors.
Q5: How did Craig Charles overcome his addiction?
A5: Craig credits a strong support system for his recovery, particularly his wife Jackie, his children, and the understanding of his employers and colleagues. He also spoke about channelling his addictive personality into positive pursuits, such as his passion for funk and soul music and his work ethic.
If you want to read more articles similar to Craig Charles: Jungle Grief & Personal Battles, you can visit the Taxis category.