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Sian Welby Breaks Silence on Devastating Loss of Friend Joe Lyons Five Years After Tragic Suicide

BBG News

For the first time, broadcast journalist Sian Welby has spoken openly about the heart-wrenching death of her dear friend and producer, Joe Lyons, who tragically took his own life five years ago.

The host of This Morning, aged 38, disclosed that she hasn’t fully come to terms with the sad event and the sorrow has deepened as she’s also lost additional friends due to suicide.

In August 2020, during the live broadcast of Capital Breakfast, Sian and her fellow hosts, Roman Kemp and Sonny Jay, received tragic news: their cherished colleague, Joe, who was adored by listeners, guests, and peers alike, had passed away.

Sian expressed, “It’s hard to put into words, but everyone experiences a time when there’s an uneasy feeling because someone is late or missing.

As a lifestyle expert, I always opt for finding the most favorable outcome rather than jumping straight to the pessimistic extreme. After all, I have faith that everything usually works out just fine and there’s often a reasonable explanation behind it.

‘For us, it was why Joe hadn’t come to work – because he was always the first one in.’

Following the distressing announcement, Sian along with her fellow hosts abruptly ended their live broadcast from the studio, and temporary hosts stepped in to continue the show for the rest of the week so they could have time to mourn.

In the coming week, they went back on-air to honor their friend and past producer, Joe.

In 2022, Sonny made the decision to resign from his show to replace Mavin Humes as the host of The Capital Late Show. On the other hand, Roman, son of Martin and Shirlie Kemp, departed in April, stating directly that he could no longer continue following Joe’s passing.

On the latest installment of The Lulu Podcast, Sian reminisced about an instance where Joe appeared to be thriving despite concealing any hardships beneath his lively and optimistic demeanor.

She mentioned: ‘We were all unaware, and it’s hard to imagine otherwise. In fact, I’ve also lost other friends in a similar manner, and they were always the lively, charming personalities – simply delightful individuals.’

1) “Joe was cherished by everyone. Not just ordinary folks, but even celebrities held him in high regard. He would take care of all the guests as if they were his own, and it seemed that everyone who knew Joe couldn’t help but love him.

She went on saying: ‘I discussed the matter with my companions, and it turned out to be a collective ordeal among us that seemed to resonate with everyone. We found solace in communicating about it and supporting each other, yet I may have never truly acknowledged or dealt with it.’

It’s hard for me to accept this as true, and the suddenness of it left many of us stunned. I believe we’re still trying to comprehend and understand its implications.

Even though the loss has left a lasting impression on her, it appears that Sian has not sought professional assistance for dealing with her grief.

She pondered that her mom and sister often serve as both attentive listeners and eloquent speakers, perhaps functioning somewhat like a form of therapy for her.

Following the departures of Sonny and Roman, she now co-hosts Capital Breakfast along with Jordan North and Chris Stark. She expressed a sense of magic and camaraderie among the trio that is difficult to put into words.

‘Perhaps it’s due to the stages of life we’re at, but this project is simply delightful and our team is exceptional. Everything seems to be falling into place beautifully.’

In the year 2021, Roman hosted a BBC documentary titled “Our Silent Emergency” which focused on male suicide and mental health issues, following the passing of Joe.

In the documentary, Roman confessed that he had intense dislike for Joe during a difficult period of grieving, but eventually found himself loving Joe once more.

As a tribute to his deceased companion, Roman decided to get a bird tattoo on his thigh. He shared the reason behind his choice, “Joe previously had this tattoo, which I’d often mock, saying it resembled a pigeon. In an ironic twist, I got mine in the same location…

Lately, a significant event for Sian has been the arrival of her firstborn daughter, Ruby, around last year, along with her partner, Jake Beckett.

Regarding her choice to start a family, she expressed that, being contentedly settled in both her relationship and her life, she felt the time was right for her to embark on this journey, deciding then and there that ‘now’ was the perfect moment.

‘I wasn’t too taken aback, but the speed at which it unfolded was unexpected… You spend a large portion of your life taking precautions against such things, and then all of a sudden, in a moment when you need it most, you find yourself questioning whether or not they are even attainable.’

Although facing difficulties in managing both her newborn and her radio show, she chose to resume work only three months later, as she was concerned about being replaced.

The presenter shared: ‘It felt that way since the show was brand new and I didn’t wish for it to gain momentum with another person while I was away.’

Even though waking up at 4 am was a struggle for Sian, she appreciated it because it meant she could return home later. She understood that she could rest whenever necessary and cherished the afternoons she spent with her daughter.

During those past three months, it was simply wonderful having only her for company, and the experience was truly exceptional – the longest stretch without work that I’ve experienced in my adult years.

She acknowledged her partner Jake, a talented radio producer, for making everything happen, as she shared with the audience: ‘I feel incredibly fortunate to have Jake by my side, who truly allows me to shine.’

In his absence, I wouldn’t have found the strength to juggle my responsibilities with Ruby and return to work after such a short time. Truly, he was an integral part of my success during those challenging times.

He gave up his job to help make this project happen. As a leading host on Heart Breakfast, he was highly respected. When I mentioned returning to work, he agreed, considering the exciting new show I was embarking on and my role in This Morning. He reasoned that it made good sense for me to come back.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m fortunate to have an extraordinary individual in my life who has been my pillar of strength, enabling me to bloom, and then he has truly excelled in nurturing our daughter. The connection they share is simply remarkable, and it’s been a heartwarming spectacle to witness him grow into the incredible father he is.

Now, the interaction is wonderfully balanced since we both have equal knowledge about her, neither of us being an expert. This creates a pleasant scenario where we mutually rely on one another, with me occasionally seeking his input and vice versa.

As a compassionate advocate for mental wellness, I’d like to share an important resource that could be beneficial if you find yourself deeply impacted by the stories or challenges you encounter in life. The Samaritans, a remarkable organization dedicated to providing emotional support, is always there to listen and offer understanding. You can reach them 24/7 at 116 123, or drop them an email at jo@samaritans.org if that feels more comfortable for you. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it, and the Samaritans are here to support you on your journey towards mental peace and well-being.

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2025-05-19 15:07

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