A FORMER Royal Marine and bodyguard to the stars who was struggling with PTSD took his own life at his North Wales home, an inquest heard.

The hearing at County Hall in Ruthin heard that close friends found 31-year-old Ashley Bernard Nickless hanging in his living room at Pentregwyddel Road, Llysfaen, near Colwyn Bay, on November 22 last year.

The inquest heard that Corporal Nickless had served in Afghanistan and Iraq, where he had seen "horrible incidents" and saw some of his friends lose their lives before he was discharged in 2017 on medical grounds.

In recent years he had provided security services for a mining company in Sierra Leone as well as for celebrities including Spice Girl Mel B and the cast of The Only Way is Essex.

But in the months before his death he had found himself without a job or income, and, due to being between GP practices, without the medication prescribed for his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In a joint statement, his family told the inquest: "Ashley was a very popular person with a lot of friends. he was a cheeky chap and was held in high regard by the Royal Marines.

"He will be very sadly missed by us all."

In a statement from friend Lucy Hughes, who knew him as Ash and spoke or messaged him daily, she described how she and another friend went to see him after an exchange of worrying phone calls and text messages.

In the messages, Mr Nickless said"I'm going under" and "I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel". Later messages said "it's done" and "so let me fulfil my destiny".

When the friends arrived at the address they found Mr Nickless hanging in the living room. He was wearing his full military uniform and there were three notes he had written as well as photographs of friends and family near him.

In the letter he described his battle with PTSD and thanked his friends for their time and support.

Another statement was read from Tiffany Turner who had rented the house next door to hers to Mr Nickless and his then wife and mother of his young son in Exeter.

She also received text messages from Mr Nickless in which he said he could not fight on anymore.

She said: "I had a distinct feeling it was a goodbye phone call".

She described him as a caring, hardworking man who would do anything for his son.

On November 22, police and paramedics attended Mr Nickless' home. He was rushed to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd where he was given adrenaline and CPR was performed. However, there was no heart activity or pulse detected by the medical team.

He was pronounced dead at 8.35pm.

A post-mortem examination confirmed he has died from asphyxiation as a result of suspension.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Assistant Coroner for North Wales East and Central Elizabeth Dudley-Jones said: "This is a loss of a very good man."

Before joining the Royal Marine Commandos in 2007, Ashley, the son of Melvin and Amanda Nickless, was a pupil at and a student at Coleg Llandrillo.

His father, stepmother Claire, sister Amy, and ex-wife Katie with whom he had a son Harry attended the inquest.

After his death, actor and documentary filmmaker Ross Kemp was among those who paid tribute to Corporal Nickless.

Posting on Twitter, he wrote: I was so sad to hear of the death of Ashley Nickless.

"I had the honour of meeting Ash in Afghanistan, he was a fine Royal Marine and a fine man. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

"More needs to done to help ex-service people with mental health issues, particularly those with PTSD.

"We cannot underestimate the help that is needed. If you are suffering or if someone you know is suffering please reach out to charities like @CombatStress who are doing brilliant work."

Singer Mel B also paid tribute to him, describing Ashley as "part of the family".

If you are experiencing difficulties support is available by calling the Samaritans’ helpline number on 116 123.