Will Young’s bond with twin Rupert after separation at birth led to addiction

Will Young and his twin brother Rupert had both struggled with mental health and anxiety from childhood.

The twins, 41, who were born ten minutes apart, shared an inseparable bond but also battled personal demons that led to addiction and mental health battles in their adult lives.

Speaking about his health in the past, Pop Idol winner Will believed that many issues stemmed from being separated from Rupert at birth.

Born six weeks premature, Will and his brother were given special medical help moments after delivery.

Speaking to the Times Magazine, Will has since explained that seeing his twin brother put into an incubator to treat pneumonia led to trauma.

"I think that created a nervous system that was on edge, and understandably so," he said.

"Trauma lies beneath 99.9% of addictions."

Being sent to boarding school as a child, Will also believed he suffered from feelings of abandonment.

In 2001, Will Young was gearing up to appear on Pop Idol when his brother attempted suicide before discharging himself from hospital the next day.

At the tender age of 23, Will was propelled to stardom when he won the hit singing competition Pop Idol.

It was during this period that Rupert slipped further into the grips of addition.

Will previously opened up about his brother's struggles with alcohol, before he was diagnosed with a depressive mood disorder called dysthymia.

Will said: "There was a moment I remember, when I had to go to some awards thing. I had an album out, I was in a film and I was having a great time professionally.

“I had to drive past the train station, and I knew that he’d been there for a day, just drinking.

“But I knew I had to leave him alone. That was tough, of course it was, but you have to get on. And in that respect being so involved in work was a great thing.”

In 2008, Rupert told The Times that he had been in and out of hospital at least ten times as he sought the help of professionals.

"I saw the top doctors and psychiatrists in the country, but the mental health system here is overloaded…I was never actually properly assessed," he told the publication.

"They just told me I was an addict and that was why I was the way I was."

Will also tried to come to terms with his own mental health battle after realising that he was addicted to porn and alcohol.

In 2012, the singer also checked into a therapy centre after suffering a breakdown during which he couldn't recognise his own face in a mirror.

The singer, who was diagnosed with PTSD, said at the time: "I had so much pain. I honestly didn't know if I was going to make it."

In 2016, Will referred to himself as an addict and ended up quitting Strictly Come Dancing because of his battle with anxiety.

On August 3, 2020, a spokesperson for Will Young's family confirmed that Rupert had died.

The family are said to be devastated but have asked for privacy at this time.

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