MICK HUCKNALL - HUCKNALL CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE AFTER RAPE CLAIMS

HUCKNALL CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE AFTER RAPE CLAIMS

British rocker MICK HUCKNALL was almost driven to commit suicide in the late 1990s after he was falsely accused of raping a secretary. The ex-Simply Red star, 47, was stunned to find himself the subject of a police investigation following the unnamed woman's claims of sexual assault, and sank into a deep depression which nearly claimed his life. And Hucknall is furious the media were banned from identifying the accusee as a result of U.K. law. He says, "It was the only time in my life that I ever contemplated suicide. I thought, 'I just can't handle this, I can't leave the house, what will people think?' "That was the lowest point in my life. Even now I think it's disgusting that the law meant my name was brandished around the world, even though I was entirely innocent, never charged or prosecuted, and the accuser was allowed to stay secret. It was beyond belief." But the former womaniser admits the harrowing experience also had a positive affect on his life, because it forced him to reconsider his priorities. He adds, "Maybe it was a kind of perverse favour because it was a wake-up call to where I was going. I remember thinking, 'This nightlife thing has got to stop - you're meeting crazy people, getting into crazy situations. It's time to get a hold of the reins and time to get yourself back together."