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A Take Me Out contestant who lost his job after taking four days off to film the show in Maidstone hanged himself a month later, an inquest heard.

Charlie Watkins, 22, went on the ITV dating show in a bid to find 'the one' after saying he was disappointed he had been unlucky in love during his three years at university.

The criminology graduate took a job at the chocolate museum and shop 'York Chocolate Story' for "a few months" after completing his degree.

But due to four-day filming commitments for the dating show at the Maidstone Studios and being in his probationary period of employment he was sacked from the job he loved.

His twin brother Harry Watkins said Charlie did not tell work about his whereabouts because couldn't have his phone with him during the Take Me Out filming in New Cut Road.

(Image: ITV)

He missed calls from work and had his employment terminated when he returned, York Coroners' Court heard.

Charlie's lacrosse team mate and housemate Swabir Abdul Rahmam, 24, told the inquest: "He really loved his job at the chocolate factory - he was happy.

"But when he went to go film for the Take Me Out TV programme, he lost his job - they terminated his contract.

"He then had nothing to do apart from stay around the house and play on the XBOX and Playstation."

Adding: "He would have spent that time at work."

The inquest heard his family and friends confirm Charlie had self-harmed previously and taken anti-depressant medication in the past.

But Mr Rahmam said those days were behind him and at the time "he was cheerful and happy".

Charlie's psychiatrist Vivienne Sabre described him as "the life and soul of every party, but would suddenly retreat into the back of his mind moments later".

The former York University student tragically posted after graduating in June 2016: 'My one regret is not finding that one woman for me to spend the rest of my life with.'

(Image: ITV)

Charlie, known on Take Me Out as 'Chaz Man', even posted a picture on his Facebook account of the show's application form as he filled it in.

He was then called up to join match-making host Paddy McGuinness and shot scenes in February - and won a date with stunning brunette Jo-Tara.

The Max and Paddy star McGuinness had tweeted saying the episode which Charlie appeared on the show would be dedicated to his memory.

It was broadcast on April 23 after ITV were granted the go-ahead from his family.

McGuinness, 43, tweeted at the time: 'Tonight's Take Me Out is in memory of Charlie. A fantastic lad who I'm sure will be greatly missed by his wonderful friends and family. RIP.'

Charlie's date with Jo-Tara was also broadcast a week later as the pair jetted off to the show's fictional Isle of Fernando's - and the date "went really well".

The inquest heard Charlie had spent the day before his death drinking with his brother in Leeds, West Yorks., before enjoying a charity dinner with friends in York.

He was found hanged in his bedroom the following evening as his flat mates tried to break down his bedroom door on March 13.

Mr Rahmam, who was the first to find Charlie, used a credit card to slide open the latch and attempt to open the door.

He told the inquest: "I then felt his body and it was cold, I pulled down on what felt like a rope and his body was wedged behind the door.

"I knew Charlie was dead - panic then set in and I called for an ambulance."

Paramedics arrived at the address around 9pm and reports confirmed rigamortis had already set in after it took 45 minutes to gain entry to his room.

The inquest heard Charlie suffered after losing his mother when he was aged nine, and then his grandmother, grandfather and Auntie within a five year period.

North Yorkshire Coroner Rob Turnbull said he "unable to answer questions put infront of him" as Charlie left no suicide note and his mother had died "some years ago".

Returning a conclusion of suicide, Mr Turnbull said: "Charlie was witty, charming and a considerate young man - that is what people thought of him.

"He was all but a popular young man and it was in a sad set of circumstances his life was to end the way it did."

After the hearing, Charlie's twin brother Harry Watkins, 23, said: "I didn't know he was still struggling with our mother's death.

"I also noticed some laceration marks on his arm about a year ago when we went to the gym, but he just told me to mind my own business.

"We thought he had got better."

The family, from Essex, said they have now set up a foundation in Charlie's name to help others battling mental health.

To donate to The Charlie Watkins Foundation visit here.