Fast Show actor's child took own life at home aged just 25 as dad opens up on ‘incomprehensible tragedy'
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THE child of a Fast Show actor took their own life aged 25 after a "traumatic" stint in hospital, an inquest heard.
Cal Shearer was tragically discovered dead at home in Oxford on October 30.
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Cal Shearer was found dead at home in Oxford
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Cal's dad was Fast Show actor Paul Shearer, who has paid tribute
The student's dad Paul Shearer was a regular on comedy show The Fast Show between 1994 to 1997.
He paid tribute to Cal, who was transgender, at an inquest into the Oxford University PhD student's death.
Paul said: "There were many facets to their personality.
'After their death, Cal's mum in a social media post said they were brave, beautiful and compassionate.
'They were capable of warmth and love. They spent many hours helping at Oxford Nightline.
'Cal's death was a tragedy and incomprehensible to those around them."
Oxford Coroner's Court was told Cal had been diagnosed with autism in 2018 and had a "long battle" with suicidal thoughts.
From March to May last year, Cal was in hospital, which was described as a "traumatic" experience.
The student had received treatment from Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust.
The family lodged a complaint with the trust over its handling over Cal's care, saying more should have been done to account for their autism.
Cal's wife Imogen Voysey-Shearer told the inquest she did not think the mental health team knew what to do with the student.
Paying tribute, she added: "Cal was someone who everyone liked. They helped others in so many ways.
'Cal was kind, funny and compassionate. Cal was liked in every area of their life, but felt their death was inevitable.
'Coming home to Cal was the best part of my day. We played Minecraft together.
'Cal had a long history of difficulties with their mental health. Cal had a rough time getting up in the morning and struggled going into the lab.'
Dr Stephen Merson, consultant psychiatrist at the Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, was asked if the care team had been "dismissive" of Cal's autism.
He replied: 'No. We are improving our awareness of the implications of autism. I don't think we ignored the risk aspect.'
Recording a verdict of suicide, area coroner Nicholas Graham offered his condolences to Cal's devastated family.
He added: "Concerns have been raised around Cal's mental health care and treatment.
'The trust has accepted failings in these areas. It was accepted there was an absence of a documented care plan.
"The failings contributed to a deterioration in Cal's mental health which ultimately lead to their death.'
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Paul was a member of Cambridge University's Footlights ensemble alongside Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie.
He starred in the first series of sketch comedy show There's Nothing to Worry About! the following year with the ensemble.
Paul is best known for his appearances on the The Fast Show where he played a variety of characters, including a bemused customer in the 'Suit You' tailors segments.
Cal's mum and film producer mum Vicky Licorish presented Saturday SuperStore in the 1980s alongside Keith Chegwin and DJ Mike Reid.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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Cal had struggled with autism and suicidal thoughts
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The PhD student had been admitted to hospital months before their death
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Fast Show actor's transgender child took own life after 'traumatic' stint in hospital, inquest hears
The transgender child of a Fast Show actor took their own life after a 'traumatic' stint in hospital, an inquest heard. Cal Shearer, 25, was found hanged at home in Oxford on October 30. The Neuroscience PHD student's famous father Paul Shearer starred on the comedy series The Fast Show between 1994 to 1997. He paid tribute to Cal, who was also autistic, at an inquest into the Oxford University student's death. Paul said: 'There were many facets to their personality. After their death, Cal's mum in a social media post said they were brave, beautiful and compassionate. 'They were capable of warmth and love. They spent many hours helping at Oxford Nightline. 'Cal's death was a tragedy and incomprehensible to those around them.' The 25-year-old had a 'long battle' with suicidal thoughts and spent two 'traumatic' months in hospital last March, Oxford Coroner's Court heard. Cal Shearer, 25, was was found hanged at home in Oxford on October 30 The transgender child of a Fast Show actor took their own life after a 'traumatic' stint in hospital, an inquest heard The Neuroscience PHD student's famous father Paul Shearer starred on the comedy series The Fast Show between 1994 to 1997 Cal took their own life after battling to find the right treatment in what their family described as the 'all too prevalent but not yet understood crisis of suicides amongst autistic people identifying as trans'. The family launched a complaint with the Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust over the handling of their child's care, saying there should have been more done to account for Cal's autism. Dr Stephen Merson, a consultant psychiatrist at the Trust, strongly denied that the care team had been 'dismissive' of Cal's autism, when asked at the inquest. He replied: 'No. We are improving our awareness of the implications of autism. I don't think we ignored the risk aspect.' Cal, who was raised in Bethnal Green, London, met their NHS worker wife Imogen Voysey-Shearer when they were seven-years-old classmates attending the private City of London School for Girls in 2006. Imogen told the inquest she did not think the mental health team knew how to provide adequate support to her partner. She added: 'Cal was someone who everyone liked. They helped others in so many ways. 'Cal was kind, funny and compassionate. Cal was liked in every area of their life, but felt their death was inevitable. The 25-year-old had a 'long battle' with suicidal thoughts and spent two 'traumatic' months in hospital last March, Oxford Coroner's Court heard The family launched a complaint with the Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust over the handling of their child's care, saying there should have been more done to account for Cal's autism 'Cal's passing is a tragic loss to everyone who knew them,' a family tribute on the page read 'Coming home to Cal was the best part of my day. We played Minecraft together. 'Cal had a long history of difficulties with their mental health. Cal had a rough time getting up in the morning and struggled going into the lab.' Cal's final note, left to family and friends, read: 'I love you and I know how loved I am. I am lucky to have so much love surrounding me.' Area coroner Nicholas Graham recorded a verdict of suicide and offered his condolences to the heartbroken family. He added: 'Concerns have been raised around Cal's mental health care and treatment. 'The trust has accepted failings in these areas. It was accepted there was an absence of a documented care plan. 'The failings contributed to a deterioration in Cal's mental health which ultimately lead to their death.' Their mother is Vicky Licorish, who presented Saturday SuperStore in the 1980s alongside Keith Chegwin and DJ Mike Reid. Area coroner Nicholas Graham recorded a verdict of suicide and offered his condolences to the heartbroken family Their mother is Vicky Licorish, who presented Saturday SuperStore in the 1980s alongside Keith Chegwin and DJ Mike Reid. She paid an emotional tribute to 'our beautiful Cal' as she shared on social media a series of happy family photographs featuring her youngest child A memorial page set up for the student has raised thousands of pounds for The Samaritans and Gendered Intelligence, a trans-led charity working to improve gender diversity and the lives of trans people Cal's final note, left to family and friends, read: 'I love you and I know how loved I am. I am lucky to have so much love surrounding me' She paid an emotional tribute to 'our beautiful Cal' as she shared on social media a series of happy family photographs featuring her youngest child. The film producer wrote: 'Our brave, beautiful, blazingly clever, wickedly funny and endlessly compassionate Cal sadly lost their battle with mental health this week. There are no words.' A memorial page set up for the student has raised thousands of pounds for The Samaritans and Gendered Intelligence, a trans-led charity working to improve gender diversity and the lives of trans people. 'Cal's passing is a tragic loss to everyone who knew them,' a family tribute on the page read. 'They had so much to offer, but the pain of their inner turmoil proved too great for them to bear. 'Many walked beside Cal during the years they privately struggled with their mental health. Imogen, Cal's long term friend, then partner and, last year, wife never left their side. 'Now working for the NHS, Imogen tried to secure Cal the right treatment for this all too prevalent but not yet understood crisis of suicides amongst autistic people identifying as trans.' The tragedy came a week after an inquest held for fellow Oxford student Alexander Rogers found the 20-year-old killed himself in January after being ostracised by his social circle at Corpus Christi College in an episode described as 'cancel culture'. He had sex with a female friend who told other male students she had felt 'discomfort' about the encounter, a coroner heard. Cal's wife old the inquest she did not think the mental health team knew how to provide adequate support to her partner The tragedy came a week after an inquest held for fellow Oxford student Alexander Rogers found the 20-year-old killed himself in January after being ostracised by his social circle at Corpus Christi College in an episode described as 'cancel culture' The undergraduate jumped into the River Thames from Donnington Bridge and died from serious head injuries. 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