Gary

Specialist in self loathing since 1984. I'll tweet about music, pro-wrestling, Scunthorpe United and food. He/Him.

[Gary @garywillerton]

@RailwayMuseum Walked through the museum around 4:30 to get to the station and was told I could come back through (live on Leeman Road). Was back at 4:40 and told I couldn't. Not closing for another 20 mins and it's less than 5 mins through. Use some common sense.

[Gary @garywillerton]

@samaritans #suicideawareness
#suicidepreventionmonth

[Gary @garywillerton]

On Saturday I walked the Yorkshire 3 Peaks to raise some money for @samaritans

It's currently standing at just over £1500 which is insane.

The link is here if anyone wishes to donate/repost.

Thanks.

https://t.co/4K9u3dtpGU

[Gary @garywillerton]

On 26th September 2026, the day after the 5th anniversary of my failed suicide attempt, I'll be taking on the Yorkshire 3 Peak Challenge to raise money for @samaritans

If you can spare a couple of quid or just RT this, I'd be eternally grateful.

https://t.co/4K9u3dtpGU

[Gary @garywillerton]

@Claireyyyy The fact that Fuck A Dog will undoubtedly be on my Spotify Wrapped is concerning.

[Gary @garywillerton]

This show is tomorrow, and it just sold out.

[Gary @garywillerton]

Found out tonight I'm playing a show at my favourite bar in Leeds so that's pretty dope.

[Gary @garywillerton]

Leave the IMAX screen.

[Curiosity @MAstronomers]

What would you do in this situation?

[Gary @garywillerton]

Found out tonight I'm playing a show at my favourite bar in Leeds so that's pretty dope.

[Gary @garywillerton]

Was lucky enough to get a head rub from @AlexHorne at tonight's @hornesection show @yorkbarbican. Did anyone manage to get any photos? This was the end result. #nichetweet #purpleman #purpleryan

[Gary @garywillerton]

Had a couple of drinks and emailed the @WonderyMedia #BritishScandal team to tell them just how much they helped with my mental health. Part of me feels embarrassed, part of me feels like people who help you deserve to know. So yeah, cheers @Alicelevine @mattforde et al.

[Gary @garywillerton]

Just over 4 years since I tried.

Forever grateful I wasn't successful.

Talk. It gets better.

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

Suicide.

I'm choosing to be deliberately blunt and provocative in this post because it's necessary. Government, charities, football clubs are all pushing water up a hill in highlighting what is undoubtedly a major health crisis.

You take a rope.
You put it up in a garage or a tree nearby or far away.
You're thinking about every loved one you'll leave behind as you put that rope around your neck.
Then you drop.

Some are decapitated.
Some aren't.
All are found by someone who has a lifetime of trauma that will never leave them.
A son.
A daughter.
A brother.
A sister.
A mother.
A father.

I know 2 men who hung themselves.

One was found by his Mom.
One was found by his brother.
Neither have recovered fully. 20 and 30 years on.

A life sentence for people who were already worrying, terrified their loved one may do something.

So just visualise the above and ask, "is there another way"?

A segway for a moment.

I do a few Q&A's every year. Tales of yesterday with a 99% male audience of my age group.

After the stories and fun, my last question back to the audience is..

"Hands up if you struggle with a mental health issue".

Nobody ever puts a hand up. Despite 1 in every 3 of 500 attendees statistically struggling.

"Ah, nobody, that's fucking brilliant! Well I do! ". I then graphically tell people, stunned into silence about how a rope around my neck in the middle of nowhere jolted me to go home and cry like a baby to my Mom.

After the Q&A has finished, something always happens. I'll be chatting to a few guys, saying bye and one by one, men will come over and whisper " I struggle".

Or my mailbox the next day will have 30 emails from guys, their partners or kids saying " Dad/Uncle /Brother was there last night and what you said hit them hard".

And that's how some people realise that it's time to speak to a pal or family member or even rant to me in an email. It works, I often get a follow up email a year or 6 later saying that they took responsibility for their suicidal feelings and are now flying.

Humans are programmed to want to live, to have families and to keep the species growing and thriving. So for a human to want to short circuit that desire isn't normal, and it should never be spoken of as normal. It's the ultimate red flag.

If you suspect your mate, Dad, Brother, Uncle is struggling mentally, they deserve your intervention.

They deserve a " are you OK, please tell me what's up".

They deserve an opportunity to get past wanting to hang a rope over a tree or in a garage and slowly struggle until they die and you find them.

If you've been there and trust me I have plenty, then you'll know that text out of the blue, or a footie mate or one of your kids asking jow you are can open the curtains to some sunshine.

Because when suicide is your only answer, the room is already dark, and you can't see a way out.

So please, fucking pretty please, ask that husband, Dad, Uncle, Cousin, footie pal TODAY how they are.

You may be shocked what comes back but extremely glad that you asked.

For those who struggle, you're not alone.

[Gary @garywillerton]

@ironbru_net @AlfieUTI it's like tennis this... you next

[IRON BRU @ironbru_net]

PODCAST🗣️: We’re joined by new SUFC General Manager James Moody for a feature length interview, as we revive our in conversation series.

BRU: https://t.co/XyLFVGDSeN
APPLE: https://t.co/hNpAytemVI
SPOTIFY: https://t.co/U8BA5ZPTgm

[Gary @garywillerton]

@charliersmith1 4 years for me and life's never been better! Happy birthday!

[Gary @garywillerton]

@ironbru_net @AlfieUTI just trying to win shit

[IRON BRU @ironbru_net]

PODCAST🗣️: We discuss a 1-0 loss against Carlisle, Boyce's red card, a spirited 2nd half display, goalkeepers (again), potential discipline issues and look ahead to Morecambe.

BRU: https://t.co/3eM7BCGjFo
APPLE: https://t.co/tA7ik8OcmK
SPOTIFY: https://t.co/tqZfPP5fqp

Photo credit @DhaswellphotoUK

[Gary @garywillerton]

I only discovered the British Scandal podcast series a few months ago, but I'm absolutely devouring it. Hearing @mattforde return after illness was genuinely emotional.

Also, shout out to @Alicelevine's accents.

[James Benge @jamesbenge]

Manchester United: 2013-present

[Gary @garywillerton]

Fuck sake.

[Malarkey Iron 🤪 @MalarkeyIron]

Grimsby fans to Man Utd fans:
‘Are you Scunthorpe in disguise’.

I have never. Ever. Been so offended in my life.

Even we’re not that shit.