Former boyband star Brian Harvey is living off benefits and has contemplated suicide.
The plight of the ex-East 17 singer, 40, was revealed by Labour MP Simon Danczuk as part of a campaign to improve support for artists after their careers as musicians come to an end.
In an interview with LBC, Harvey revealed he contemplated suicide during a stint in hospital last month.
"I could have walked out of that place that night, walked off and jumped off a bridge," he said, adding: "Because, I tell you what: I felt like it."
Harvey went on: "We need a walk-in centre specifically designed for when, in the middle of the night, someone thinks ‘I am going to hang myself’ or ‘I am going to a forest and jump out of a tree with a noose around my neck’, because I have thought of all these things. Desperation takes over."
The former boyband star was sacked from East 17 in 1997 over comments he made about ecstasy in the wake of the death of Leah Betts, who died after taking a pill during her 18th birthday party.
The group had enjoyed huge success, selling 18 million records including 17 top 20 singles.
But his MP, Mr Danczuk, revealed that Harvey is out of work and could even face eviction from his home.
He told the Independent: "His situation is very desperate.
“It’s been a few weeks since we did the interview but I’ve been speaking to him over many months. He is on benefits and is in a fairly desperate situation to be honest.”
Mr Danczuk added: "Brian is a really good guy. I meet lots of people while I’m going about my work and Brian is a genuinely lovely guy. He has a heart of gold. I think he has been notoriously badly treated by the tabloid newspapers who should have better understanding of mental health issues.”
The British Phonographic Industry, which represents the music industry and works closely with mental health charity Help Musicians UK said: "Mental health problems sadly affect people in all walks of life, including those in the creative community.
"Fortunately, there is greater awareness of what can be done to help now, and one area we are looking to develop is our work with Help Musicians UK – a wonderful charity that reaches out to artists in need of support across a range of issues, including mental health."
Anyone experiencing mental health problems can contact The Samaritans.
