Derry Girls star breaks down over brother's suicide

Emotional Moment on Celebrity Race Across the World

During an episode of Celebrity Race Across the World, a heartfelt moment unfolded as a contestant opened up about a personal tragedy that deeply affected him and his family. Dylan Llewellyn, known for his role in Derry Girls, shared the story of his brother’s death at the age of 20, which left both him and his mother, Jackie, emotional.

The scene took place during an ancient ceremony in South America, where the contestants gathered around a fire. Alongside fellow participants such as Roman Kemp, Harleymoon, Molly Rainford, and Ty West, Dylan spoke candidly about the loss he and his family had endured.

As part of the ritual, the contestants were asked to drink a cup of cacao, symbolizing a moment of release and healing. A female spiritual guide encouraged them to let go of anything they no longer needed to carry in their hearts, minds, or lives to find peace and love.

Soon after, Jackie began to cry, expressing her feelings of peace and connection to those she had lost. Dylan, visibly moved, then shared his story with the group, explaining how he and his mother had lost someone close to them—his brother James. He expressed his deep longing for James to be there, experiencing the journey himself.

“I just wish he could take my place and do this, do all this and travel the world. But he never got to,” Dylan said, fighting back tears.

In a separate interview, Dylan revealed more details about his brother’s passing. “My eldest brother James, he took his life when he was 20. I was 16. It just hit us all hard, so hard.”

He described the experience of participating in the race as a way to honor his brother and mother. “Doing this race is like doing it for my brother and my mum. He would have loved to do something like this. I think she’d like to have that kind of journey with a son.”

As the camera returned to the campfire, Roman Kemp, who was also emotional, offered comfort to Dylan. “He’s with you the whole time. He’d be sat right here, he’d be laughing at everything you’re going through.”

Jackie managed a smile and added, “We’ve certainly had a lot of laughs so far!”

Dylan continued to reflect on his brother’s life, describing him as someone who lived life to the fullest. “He was so popular, he had so many friends. He was my hero… I know he’s with us.” Jackie then told him, “He’s your guardian angel. He’s racing with us.”

In another interview, Dylan emphasized how his brother inspired him. “James was everything I wanted to be with his confidence. I really want to get out of my comfort zone and support my mum, because I want to look after her on this trip because she deserves it. He would be proud of me I think.”

The pair later shared their feelings, stating they felt a “sense of relief and release” after the ceremony.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional distress, several organizations offer support:

• Samaritans: Call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a branch in person, or go to the Samaritans website.
• HOPELINE247: Open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. Call 0800 068 4141, text 88247, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.

Social Media Reactions

The emotional moment resonated with many viewers, who took to social media to express their condolences and support for Dylan and his family.

@fadeeeintoyou wrote: “Dylan and his mum’s story about their brother/son is absolutely heartbreaking #CelebrityRaceAcrossTheWorld.”

@RyanSoapKing25 added: “Dylan opening up about his younger brother James who took his own life at the age of 20 😢😢 Heartbreaking!!!!! #CelebrityRaceAcrossTheWorld #RaceAcrossTheWorld”

@Lizzie89x commented: “Protect Dylan at all costs #celebrityraceacrosstheworld.”

The episode of Celebrity Race Across The World is available to watch on BBC and iPlayer.

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