MCFLY bass player Dougie Poynter has revealed he tried to kill himself after his life became a “relentless hell”.

The boy band star, who grew up in Corringham, attempted suicide last year after hitting rock bottom following his split from girlfriend Frankie Sandford. Dougie, 24, made the brave revelation on TV while promoting McFly’s new autobiography Unsaid Things....Our Story.

The former Gable Hall pupil said he suggested the band go their separate ways because his drinking had spiralled out of control when he and pop star Frankie, from The Saturdays, called time on their relationship in late 2010.

He confessed: “I was in a mess of my own making and there was no way out. My life had turned into a relentless hell so the only solution was to end it.”

The musician added how he couldn’t understand why his suicide bid in a fume-filled car failed to work, but said when he realised it was not working he felt worse than ever.

But it made him determined to seek help and after visiting the band’s doctor, he was referred to a counsellor and then checked into rehab just days later at the famous Priory clinic.

After spending a month in rehab, he went on to take part in I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! last year, which saw him beat fellow Essex celeb Mark Wright to be crowned King of the Jungle.

Within weeks, his bandmate, drummer Harry Judd, had also won Strictly Come Dancing.

Dougie, who went to Corringham Primary School, said talking about his depression made him a stronger person.

He said: “It’s always good to reflect. I’m in a really, really good place now. It is quite easy to forget.”

The star is now dating new girlfriend Lara Carew-Jones.