Afghanistan veteran breaks down in tears on BBC Breakfast as he admits ‘I have suicidal thoughts daily’ after being left jobless and homeless

An Afghanistan veteran broke down in tears on Thursday’s episode of BBC Breakfast as he admitted ‘I have suicidal thoughts daily’ after being left jobless and homeless. 

Presenters Naga Munchetty, 50, and Charlie Stayt, 63, reminded viewers that today (October 23) is the start of the annual Royal British Legion’s annual poppy appeal for the armed forces community.

In a new segment, reporter Jayne McCubbin met up with veteran Steven Ford to chat to him about his time in the army.  

Speaking openly about serving for 20 years, Steven said: ‘There’s been relationship breakdowns. I think they’re the worst.

‘I’ve been in, like, two mental health institutions. I have suicidal thoughts daily.’

After leaving the force, he really struggled to find a job because he didn’t have a house, and ended up in supported living for veterans, as well as his car and a tent.

In May Steven reached out and contacted the Royal British Legion – and now he has somewhere to live. 

Clearly getting very emotional about how much the charity has helped him, Steven said: ‘It’s going to make me cry! 

‘Yeah I asked him for a favour and he were there straight away.’

Speaking with Tony, who helps the charity, he said: ‘I know I’ve got support here and I know that I’ve got good friends around here. 

‘There is nothing else you can really ask for is there?’ 

Despite the hard times that he’s been through, Steven wouldn’t change his past as he told Jayne: ‘I’d go back tomorrow. 

‘We went to them places, but with our mates. And we were making sure that our mates were all right.’

Elsewhere in the interview, Steven met up with two of his friends Coops and David – they all met while on tour in Afghanistan together. 

They said: ‘There’s a lot of people who don’t appreciate what we’ve done. I’ve been going to Tesco. 

‘There was a kid asking the parent what had happened to me, why I have no legs.

‘All they did is drag them away. And I’m like, you could just ask, you know.’ 

It comes after BBC Breakfast staff have reportedly ‘slammed bosses for the double standards’ after it was revealed that Kaye Adams has been suspended during a bullying probe while Naga Munchetty remains in her role on the show despite the same complaints. 

Last week Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Loose Women presenter Kaye has been taken off her BBC Radio Scotland show following allegations she bullied her co-workers. 

But Naga and Charlie, who present BBC Breakfast Thursday to Saturday, have had similar complaints made against them – and they are still on our screens. 

This has left many feeling as if there are ‘double standards’ going on   

A source said told The Sun: ‘The review on Naga and Charlie is rumbling on because new complaints keep coming up, which raise new questions, so they have to keep interviewing other people. 

‘The news about Kaye Adams’ suspension up in Scotland has put the cat among the pigeons because she’s been accused of the same thing as Naga and Charlie – bullying.

‘People are saying it’s double standards and that the BBC are pandering to Naga particularly, because she is the big name because she has Breakfast and her 5 Live show. 

‘They are the nation’s broadcaster and should treat all complaints the same way.’

Kaye – who has been on Loose Women since 1999 – joined has been part of the BBC Radio Scotland team since 2010. 

The host has had a number of shows with the station over the years including Call Kaye, With Kaye Adams and The Kaye Adams Programme. 

Naga joined the BBC Breakfast team in 2014, while Charlie has been on the show since 2006. 

Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.  

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