Dragons’ Den host Evan Davis told on wedding day his seriously ill father had taken his own life

DRAGONS’ Den presenter Evan Davis found out through a phone call on his wedding day that his seriously ill father had taken his own life.

Quintin Davis, 92, had left a note saying his “system is closing down” and he had “no alternative”, Evan told The Celeb Reportday Times.

BBC star Evan, 61, was alerted something was wrong soon after he married Guillaume Baltz, 56, when his brother Roland sent a message urging him to “call ASAP”.

It happened during the reception and the occasion turned into “a very warm-hearted, supportive, reflective day” after he announced it in a speech.

He 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.”

Evan, who has another brother, Beric, told them later how his father had died.

The ex-Newsnight host said his father had made a “proud and loving” speech ten years earlier when he entered a civil partnership ceremony with Mr Baltz.

Their July 2021 London wedding was a follow-up involving guests not at the first big day.

Stating that his family do not know why his father chose that day to die, he 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, who had bowel cancer and faced heart failure, left loving messages to wife Hazel and notes for his sons.

He and Hazel had been together for 65 years but she went into care during the pandemic after showing signs of dementia.

A handwritten note from Mr Davis 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, ie, I am going mad and physically falling apart.

“I really have no alternative. Thank you all for being such a wonderful family.”

Evan added: “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.”