THE child of Fast Show star Paul Shearer has tragically died aged 25.
Transgender Neuroscience PhD student Cal Shearer was found hanged in accommodation at Oxford University’s St John’s College.
Cal Shearer, 25, was found dead in digs at Oxford University
Cal was a neuroscience PhD student
Paul Shearer with Cal as a child
BBC IPLAYERShearer (right) with Paul Whitehouse in the first ‘Suit You’ sketch on The Fast Show in 1994[/caption]
An inquest was opened on Monday at Oxford’s Coroner’s Court following the tragedy on October 30.
The cause of death was given as hanging. A full inquest will be heard on March 10 next year.
A memorial page has raised thousands of pounds for The Samaritans and trans-led charity Gender Intelligence.
A family tribute on the page read: “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.”
Cal – who had also been diagnosed with autism – married their wife Imogen, an NHS worker, on July 1 last year.
The couple tied the knot at St John’s College, where Cal had completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Linguistics.
They had met aged seven and began dating in 2013.
The memorial page added: “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.”
Cal was born on March 21 1999 and raised in Bethnal Green, London.
They are understood to have been a volunteer for Samaritans, as well as Oxford University’s Nightline service.
Tributes have flooded the memorial page. One read: “Cal, I am so grateful to have had the chance to know you.
“You worked so hard to uplift others despite your own struggles.”
MUM’S TRIBUTE
Their TV and film producer mum Vicky Licorish paid an emotional tribute to “our beautiful Cal” as she shared several family photos.
She 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.”
Vicky presented Saturday SuperStore in the 1980s alongside Keith Chegwin and DJ Mike Reid before moving into producing.
Her work includes BBC drama Small Island.
She married Paul in 1994. He was a member of Cambridge University’s Footlights ensemble alongside Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie.
They won the first ever Perrier Comedy Award in 1981.
He starred in the first series of sketch comedy show There’s Nothing to Worry About! the following year with the ensemble.
But is probably best known for his regular appearances on The Fast Show from 1994 to 1997.
What is The Fast Show?
KICKING off in 1994, The Fast Show quickly rose up the ranks to become a staple of British comedy television.
It became prominent for pioneering the genre of fast-paced comedy shows utilising a slew of quick-fire sketches starring different characters within one singular episode.
Known for churning out up to 27 individual sketches in one 30 minute broadcast, it paved the way for programmes such as Little Britain, The Catherine Tate Show and Come Fly With Me.
It brought a series of British comedy talent to the forefront of TV with many of them going on to enjoy different success rates across the country.
These include Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Mark Williams, Simon Day, John Thompson, Caroline Aherne, Arabella Wier and Felix Dexter.
He played a variety of characters, including a bemused customer in the ‘Suit You’ tailors segments.
It comes after fellow Oxford student Alexander Rogers, 20, took his own life in January.
The third year undergraduate, who was studying at the university’s Corpus Christi College, was “cancelled” by his peers, prompting a coroner to write to the Government about “self-policing” among some students.
Coroner Nicholas Graham said Alexander – known as Xander – had been “ostracised” after a woman expressed discomfort about a sexual encounter between the pair.
In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, Mr Graham urged the Department for Education to take action to prevent similar deaths, reports the BBC.
You’re Not Alone
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.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
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
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
An inquest will be held next year
Cal was found dead on October 30 Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
