A man who was talked out of jumping off a bridge by a complete stranger 10 years ago has revealed they are now best friends.

Jonny Benjamin, now 31, who lives in south London, was 20 years old when he sat on Waterloo Bridge in 2008 preparing to jump - until passerby Neil Laybourn persuaded him not to.

Six years after the incident Jonny launched a social media search to help him find the stranger on the bridge and the pair were eventually reunited live on ITV's morning show - then called Daybreak.

Since then Jonny has rebuilt his life and teamed up with Neil, 35, from Surrey, to raise awareness of mental health problems - efforts that have attracted the support of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

During an appearance on ITV's Lorraine, the pair opened up about the unlikely story behind their friendship, and described how 'lucky' they feel to be able to work as a team to help others.

Jonny Benjamin credits Neil Laybourn for helping him, then a stranger Neil persuaded him down from Waterloo Bridge where he was considering taking his life

Benjamin (far right) details his struggle with mental health in his book The Stranger on the Bridge and has the support of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge (pictured in 2016)

Jonny Benjamin attempted suicide a decade ago but has since rebuilt his life and written his own memoir

Jonny has penned his own memoir, The Stranger on the Bridge, detailing his struggle with mental health, and how he overcame his brush with suicide.

Jonny had spent a month in hospital after being diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder, which is a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

On that fateful night in January 2008, Neil walked by and asked Jonny why he was on the bridge, and offered to buy him a coffee. The intervention saved his life.

He explained to Lorraine Kelly on the daytime show that ten years on he is in a better place and makes sure his mental health is always a priority.

'I have my relapses. It's a constant thing I have to manage, medication, therapy. And the most important thing is talking.

'I can talk openly and say if I'm struggling, that makes all the difference to be honest.'

Neil, who swapped his career as a personal trainer to become a full-time mental health campaigner setting up charity Beyond Stigma, Beyond Shame with Jonny, said he had been inspired greatly by the work his friend had done.

'We're so lucky to be able to work together as a team,' he said.

Four years ago Jonny had launched a social media campaign to find the stranger who had helped him six years previously

On ITV's morning TV show, then called Daybreak, the pair were reunited and since then they have become firm friends

Neil, who swapped his career as a personal trainer to become a full-time mental health campaigner setting up charity Beyond Stigma, Beyond Shame with Jonny

The pair have grown incredibly close and Neil, who admitted he was initially a bit of a reluctant hero, added: 'It's been an amazing journey.

'To think we are best friends and where it all came from now and where it's going to continue...'

Jonny and Neil's work has also received the support of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

The duo met the royals ahead of the launch of Jonny's book, of which William has penned a touching foreword.

Jonny said of meeting the royal couple and their dedication to campaigning for better mental health care: 'They were both so warm and passionate.

'This is not just a one off this is their lifetime work. It's changing how mental health is seen around the world.'

Mr Benjamin's upcoming memoir will be published on May 3, and his official website will 'chart Jonny's account of living with mental illness, from childhood to the present day.'

The memoir will contain diary entries, letters, poems, and a contribution from Neil at the end.

Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV at 8.30am

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