Scared of the Dark fans were left in tears watching Chris Eubank weep in an emotional episode as he discussed losing his son Sebastian at the age of 29.
Sebastian, one of the former boxer’s five children, died in 2021 after suffering a heart attack while swimming in the sea off the coast of Dubai.
While filming the show, actor Chris McCausland enquired if he lost his son recently.
Chris, 56, said solemnly: “It’s always going to be recent.”
Becoming emotional, he added of his son: “He was everything. He was me. Poet, philosopher, lover, protector, and a man of love. He was me.
“Things he did, he was magnificent. My son was, is, an inspiration and will always be an inspiration.”
Chris later went into The Vault, where the show’s contestants - who include Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt and another former boxer Nicola Adams - can speak to producers.
“Your son.... they never leave you, ever,” he said. “They are always with you. Always.
“My son Sebastian is much more than I could ever explain to you.
“The tragedy of losing a son who’s 29, imagine crying that hard, and then months later being grateful that you cried that hard for your son. It wasn’t one tear, it was an ocean.”
Following the emotional scenes, viewers were left in tears themselves.
Many took to Twitter to tell of their distress. One wrote: “The most human Chris Eubank has ever seemed no parent should outlive their child.”
Another echoed: “Losing a child is a tough one to take, regardless of how old they are.”
A third said: “Crying like a baby here listening to #chriseubank talk about the lose of his son, I don't ever wanna live in a world without my boys & I don't know where parents find the courage & strength to carry on but those who do, I salute you.”
A fourth wrote: “Oh Chris Eubank. I am so sorry. I'm crying with you I thought you were hard work with your cutthroat responses, and now I'm crying. So sorry for your loss!”
A fifth praised: “Chris Eubank has been to hell and back.. and he's still standing.. respect to him.” [sic]
Sebastian, who followed his father into the ring fighting in light-heavyweight bouts and also started competing in Mixed Martial Arts - had just welcomed a son with his wife Salma when he died in July 2021.
He was just days away from his 30th birthday, and his son Raheem was just 32 days old.
At the time, Chris said: “Never did I ever on son imagine I would write these words or experience the feeling I now have at the loss of my son.
“My family and I are devastated to hear of the death of Sebastian just days before his 30th birthday.
“Sebastian grew up in Hove in England but in the last few years made his life in Dubai where he had a wide circle of friends and was a leader in the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and of alternative therapies. As well as being a personal trainer and boxer, Sebastian was also a deep thinker who liked to challenge accepted wisdom.
“He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be forever in the thoughts of friends and family.”
Sebastian was one of four children born from Chris’ first marriage to Karron Meadows. His eldest son Nathanial was born from a previous relationship.
The five-part series Scared of the Dark kicked off on the weekend and continues throughout this week at 9pm on Channel 4.
In the opening hour-long episode the eight contestants and host Danny Dyer say “f***” a total of 90 times as they tried to cope with living for up to eight days in the pitch black.
