The family of a Barnoldswick man who took his own life have appeared on Channel 5 show Cause of Death and opened up a discussion about men’s mental health.

Jake Broughton took his own life in 2023, aged 26, and his family said “everything appeared normal” in the days leading up to his death.

Jake was nicknamed ‘Funcle’ for being the ‘fun uncle’ to his nieces and nephews. He was also training to be an electrician.

Appearing on Cause of Death his girlfriend, Olivia, said: “He was so daft and he always made me smile.

"I loved everything about him. He was my best friend and we were always together.

“[When I found out] my whole world had just fallen apart it was just horrible. I feel like no big event happened to cause this.

“He very rarely spoke about how he felt and comments about his mental health and being unhappy were few and far between.”

Jake’s mum, Tina, said: “I think men have been conditioned not to speak and keep their feelings inside. It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s okay to talk when we’re not okay.”

Jake’s dad, Keith, said: “I can’t understand it. He always seemed so full of life when you saw him he had big smiles and was belly laughing.

“He started a new job and was enjoying it, he had an air hostess girlfriend.

“We had only seen him less than a week before, all fine laughing and joking, like the usual Jake. Everything appeared normal.

“Why didn’t he ask or talk to anybody? Why didn’t he ring me up? There aren’t going to be any answers and that’s what we are going to have to live with.”

At an inquest in Preston, Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, said the outcome of the inquest was “extremely tragic”.

He said: “This is an extremely tragic outcome but it’s a recurrent theme in the way young men take their lives.

"It tends to be impulsive acts that if they’d had more time to consider it they’d still be with us today.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death in males under 35 in the UK, It is something that needs to be addressed to prevent tragic cases like Jake’s occurring again.”

Olivia said “there is a big problem with men and mental health”.

She said: “You really have no idea of the depths of what is going on in someone’s mind/ that’s a big problem with men and mental health.

“I had no idea how intense these feelings and thoughts were. Nobody knew.

“There is always an answer. Everyone would have solved every problem that Jake had, just to have him here.

“If I could turn the clock back I would do so many things differently but I can’t change what’s happened. I’ve lost my best friend.”

A police spokesperson said: “You may have watched the first episode of Cause of Death on Channel 5, which told the story of Jake, who took his own life last year.

"We know that this will have been a really hard watch, and we want to let you know how to and who to reach out to for support if it has affected you in any way.

"If you need immediate support, you can call the crisis line 24/7 on 0800 953 0110.

"Alternatively, you can call 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency department.

"To Jake’s family and loved ones: thank you for telling his story. Our thoughts remain with you, and all those who lost a loved one during the filming of this series."

You can watch Cause of Death on Channel 5.

If you are struggling with your mental health, call Samaritans on 116 123.