'STRESSED AND STRAINED'
Matthew Wright reveals a friend’s suicide and his wife’s IVF battle was behind his decision to leave The Wright Stuff
MATTHEW Wright has opened up about the heartbreaking reasons he quit Channel 5's The Wright Stuff.
The 53-year-old star announced in May that he had turned his back on the current affairs show, after hosting the programme for 18 years.
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He has now joined talkRADIO as the host of a new weekday afternoon show.
Appearing on This Morning today, he told presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford that he wishes he had quit sooner, and a close friend's suicide and his wife Amelia's IVF battle finally contributed to his decision to leave.
He said: "It was a combination of lots of things really. Channel 5 had decided to move it to a different production company to freshen it up.
"Not long after that, a good friend of mine decided to kill himself. Which was very sad.
"Then not long after that, me and my wife, we had a long-running IVF, eight years of IVF. No joy. So personally, things were pretty stressed and strained."
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Matthew went on: "Got to Christmas, all my colleagues that I had worked with for the best part of 18 years were made redundant.
"Then it started with a new production with a new team and suddenly over night it stopped being fun anymore.
"I always said, 'If it ever stopped being fun I would get out."
He also took the opportunity to thank Eamonn for sending him supportive tweets after he shared his announcement.
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Looking at Ruth, he said: "Well you know, one of the first people to get in touch with me when I announced it is sitting right next to you. Eamonn.
"You sent me some tweets which I've kept, and you said, 'It's the best decision you'll ever make.
"Whole new life out there for you, go and get it.'"
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The Jeremy Vine Show has taken over from Matthew's slot and featured disgraced Celebrity Big Brother contestant Roxanne Pallett last week.
Matthew said Jeremy didn't go hard enough on the 35-year-old star, who wrongly accused Ryan Thomas of punching and hurting her inside the house.
Matthew told This Morning: "I might have been a bit firmer with her, but I think Emma Willis did a fantastic job later on Celebrity Big Brother."
Roxanne Pallett admits she 'got it wrong' on Jeremy Vine in first TV interview since leaving Celebrity Big Brother after Ryan Thomas punch row
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- IF you are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to talk, call The Samaritans on 116 123.
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