His favourite saying was ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’. But on Monday the 13-year-old took his life.

Olympian and former Young Australian of the Year Ian Thorpe OAM will host a confronting new series aimed at tackling the issue of bullying by taking audiences to the frontline. Source: ABC TV

Ian Thorpe Wants You To Help Stop Bullying 00:08:21

A 13-year-old boy taunted about his sexuality has tragically taken his own life.

Tyrone Unsworth suffered through years of homophobic insults from his peers before his devastating death on Monday.

The Year 7 student’s heartbroken mum Amanda said her little boy was feminine and this led to him being the target of cruel sneers.

“He was a really feminine male, he loved fashion, he loved make-up and the boys always picked on him, calling him gay-boy, faggot, fairy; it was a constant thing from Year 5,” his grieving mother told the Courier Mail on Thursday night.

Tyrone Unsworth with his mother. Picture: Courier Mail.

Amanda revealed her little boy had such big ambitions for life, with a dream to be a vet and save animals or a fashion designer.

She said she would remember fondly his bright blue eyes, deep dimples, cheeky little smile, and the way they would shop together with Tyrone telling her what she should wear.

While Tyrone was a happy, cheeky boy on the outside, he did suffer horribly on the inside.

Amanda said her son's favourite saying used to be “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”.

“Obviously they ended up getting him,” she said.

Tyrone was attacked before his death

Just a month ago the Aspley State High School student was hospitalised after a violent clash, allegedly with another student , outside of the school grounds.

Tyrone Unsworth used to be a "happy go-lucky kid" at Aspley State High School. Picture: Jodie Richter

Amanda claimed her son was hit in the jaw with a fence paling so hard that he required surgery and was too afraid to return to school after the incident.

Queensland Police last night confirmed there was an ongoing investigation into the alleged assault.

Tyrone changed after the attack

Tyrone’s grandmother, Twiggy Jones, said when the young boy came out of hospital, he was different, he kept saying he didn’t want to go back to school or end up back in hospital.

She said before that terrifying incident, Tyrone was a “very happy-go-lucky kid” who would be remembered for his big beautiful smile.

Amanda admitted before that attack the family had not reported the bullying to the school.

Tyrone’ school principal Jacquita Miller said the bullying against him had not been reported, and her heart went out to his family, loved ones and friends.

“We had no reports to the school of the bullying, we really try to work with families to resolve these complex issues. I’m just so sorry and sad that we didn’t have the opportunity to help this young man," she said.

"You will be flying high with the butterflies and your fairy angels"

Friends and family of Tyrone took to social media to mourn the young teenager’s death.

His grandmother Twiggy posted that now the youngster was now at peace.

“Now you’re at ease and peaceful, lay to rest my beautiful grandson, you be flying high with the butterflies and your fairy angels will be guarding you way up in the sky our darling little grandson,” she wrote.

Ian Thorpe Wants You To Help Stop Bullying 30100 Olympian and former Young Australian of the Year Ian Thorpe OAM will host a confronting new series aimed at tackling the issue of bullying by taking audiences to the frontline. Source: ABC TV

Several admitted that they had heard or witnessed the bullying and wish they had done more.

Others pleaded with their friends to remember words hurt.

“I just wish he knew that life gets better, I hope ur in a better place. Everyone please just stop putting people down for being different. It's enough. There's a line between the things u can say and not say. Words do hurt,” another student wrote.

Amanda is now planning a funeral for her beloved son, who she said was a deeply loving boy who was always there for his family.

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