Coronation Street star tragically died by suicide at just 15 after being banned from school prom
A young actor, who starred in shows such as Shameless and Coronation Street, tragically took his own life following a ban from his school prom. Dean Worswick was found dead in March 2004 at the age of 15 just days before the school event was due to take place, much to his family's devastation.
He is remembered for portraying Warren Shipley in ITV's Coronation Street for two months in 2000, and also had a role in Clocking Off. In 1999, Dean, who was born in Australia but passed away in Bolton, played Hughie Kelso in two episodes of TV drama The Cops.
Dean was informed he could not attend his school prom after being caught playing truant from school. Three days before the school bash, he was found dead by a dog walker in the early hours of the morning.
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At the inquest into his death, it emerged Dean did not agree with his punishment. It was also revealed that he had already hired a dinner jacket and booked a limousine to the school prom. He'd also sent texts to his pals prior to his death.
His heartbroken mum Gail told the inquest: “I don’t know if this was a cry for help or not, he’s never been a depressive. I don’t know if he was trying to draw attention to himself, or if he was trying to do it.”
Recording an open verdict, Coroner Jennifer Leeming said: "I cannot be satisfied that Dean understood and appreciated the consequences of the act fully. The tone of the messages alternated between his intention to do something serious and some very ordinary messages. I'm not satisfied that his state of mind was such that he intended his life to end."
In a statement released through the police, Dean's devastated parents Gail and Michael said: "We have been visited by so many people, mainly Dean's friends, who like us are finding it difficult to come to terms with what has happened and accept the fact that he has gone. We have taken comfort from speaking to his friends and listening to stories about him and the fun they had together.
"Everyone is missing his happy go lucky, smiling face and tributes have come from as far as Australia where Dean was born and where we lived until he was four-and-a-half-years-old. Many of his friends are still visiting the place where he died and lots of flowers still lay there. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this story you can contact Samaritans in the UK and Ireland on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie
