Photo: WENN.com
X Factor contestant Jahmene Douglas has spoken openly of the trauma that has torn his family apart - including his own suicide attempt and the death of his brother, who took his own life.
Jahmene has previously told how his father Eustace was violent towards him and his mother, now saying that his teen years were so traumatic he swallowed pills in an attempt to kill himself. He claims his brother Daniel 'saved his life' by breaking down a bathroom door to rescue the talent show contestant.
In a further tragic twist to the tale, his brother took his own life in 2008.
"He was an amazing person, who excelled at everything he did," says Jahmene to the Daily Mirror. "When things were at their worst with dad, talking to him helped me escape mentally. We kept each other going. Then, when I was at my very lowest he was there for me.
"He literally saved my life. He told me I had something to live for because my family loved me so much."
Jahmene claims that his brother's suicide was his brother's only response to the abuse from their father, adding: "Three year later things just got too much for him and he broke. I think killing himself was his way of taking back some power from our dad.
"We found a suicide note and he addressed each of us in turn."
Jahmene has now found confidence during his time on the X Factor
Jahmene is now speaking about his traumatic childhood in hope of raising public awareness of violence within families.
"Something like that never leaves you. It’s embedded in you. That and the fact I can raise awareness of domestic violence is the reason I’m doing this," he tells the newspaper.
Watch Jahmene performing 'Listen' on X Factor below
Photos: Tulisa and the X Factor contestants hit the Skyfall red carpet
