Presenter of BBC's Dragons' Den Evan Davis found out through a phone call on his wedding day that his seriously ill father had died by suicide.
Quintin, 92, had left a note saying his "system is closing down" and he had "no alternative", Davis told The Sunday Times.
The TV and radio presenter was alerted that something was wrong soon after he married Guillaume Baltz, 56, during his wedding reception in July 2022.
David received a message from his brother Roland which urged him to "call ASAP" and soon after, he learned of his father's death.
Davis said that the occasion turned into "a very warm-hearted, supportive, reflective day" as he decided to tell guests what had happened.
Davis told his guests: "We've just had some news. My father died. But I don’t want you to be alarmed.
"He was very elderly and it was definitely time.
"There’s actually nothing we can do. So I’m going to propose that we carry on."
He told them later how his father had died.
Davis, 61, recalled that his father had made a "proud and loving" speech when he entered a civil partnership ceremony with Mr Baltz in 2012.
Their wedding in London was a follow-up to that ceremony involving a first number of guests who were not at the first celebration.
When asked why his father may have picked that particular day to die, Davis added: "We’ve all speculated on what the hell was going on in his head… there’s no good day, is there?
"And I know he didn’t do it to spoil our day."
His father had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and his heart was failing.
After his death, loving messages to his wife Hazel and his three sons were found.
Davis’ parents had been together for 65 years but his mother was admitted to a care home during the pandemic after she started to show signs of dementia.
A handwritten note read: "To all my family, I am so sorry – so, so sorry – to spring this on you.
"But it is the best outcome.
"My system is closing down and I am on the verge of a mental breakdown, i.e. I am going mad and physically falling apart.
"I really have no alternative. Thank you all for being such a wonderful family."
He also said in another note that he had "at no time been helped in any way in deciding to take my own life" and his actions were due to his wish to "maintain my autonomy".
Davis told the newspaper: "Having been together for 65 years, suddenly being on his own at home was a big deal… I think he felt guilt at not being able to look after her."
Source: Press Association
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