Jimmy Carr showed a rare emotional side during a recent comedy gig after receiving a powerful message from an audience member who credited the comedian with helping him through a dark period of depression.
The 52-year-old comedian, known for his razor-sharp wit and dark humor, was visibly moved as he read out the heartfelt note during the show. The fan shared that Carr’s Netflix specials and social media clips had offered a lifeline during a time when he had been struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Reading the message aloud, Carr said: “In 2020 I tried to take my own life and didn’t see a way out of my depression. Your shows on Netflix and clips on social media gave me something to laugh about when all I saw was darkness."
The message continued: "I’ve been out of hospital for two years now and finally get to see you live with my wonderful partner, Hannah. Thanks for being the light in the dark, Jimmy.”
Carr became visibly emotional as he read the message, pausing for a moment to collect himself. Just then, a perfectly timed heckle of “gay” came from the crowd, prompting laughter from the audience, and even Carr himself, who chuckled and called it “perfect.”
Turning back to the sender of the message, Carr invited him to make himself known. A voice from the crowd called out, identifying himself. Carr smiled warmly and replied: “Hey man, I teared up a little. I’m so thrilled with that, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”
He continued: “It’s a very odd thing, and obviously nothing to do with me, but it’s a lovely thing. I’m glad you said that. Because I think a lot of people, when they hear that, go: ‘Oh, I can sort of see beyond it.’ And the honesty to send in a message like that, it really means something.”
The fan responded by saying: “It takes time, and it gets better,” to which Carr replied: “Thanks mate. That’s amazing. And thank you, Hannah, as well.
"Sometimes when you’re depressed, it’s about being isolated. You’re stuck in your own head. But we’re made up of these identities (who we are with friends, family, our partners) and reconnecting with that really helps. So thank you for being there for him.”
He concluded: “That’s really made my day. That’s made my week. Incredible.”
The moment resonated even more deeply given Carr’s own past experiences with mental health struggles. In a recent appearance on Alison Hammond’s interview show, Carr opened up about a dark period in his life and the losses that shaped him.
“I was a bit depressed in my mid-20s,” Carr revealed. “I didn’t like my life, didn’t like where it was going. I quit everything and started doing comedy above a pub.”
During the episode, Carr reflected on the devastating loss of his mother, Nora, who passed away from pancreatic cancer when he was in his twenties. He shared that her struggle with depression during his childhood shaped his sense of humor and his drive to make people laugh.
“She was depressed for a lot of my childhood. Making her happy made me happy, that’s where the compulsion to be funny came from.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.