Ashley Jensen: Ugly Betty star’s husband Terence Beesley took his own life, inquest hears

Couple had been married for 10 years and had an eight-year-old son together

Ashley Jensen with her late husband Terence Beesley at the 60th Primetime Emmy awards in 2008 (Getty)

The actor husband of Ugly Betty and Extras star Ashley Jensen took his own life when he was found unresponsive in his car last year, an inquest has heard.

Terence Beesley, 60, was found by Ms Jensen in a car parked in the garage of the home the couple shared with their eight-year-old son.

Emergency services were called and paramedics attempted to revive him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Avon coroner's court was told a post mortem revealed that carbon monoxide levels in his blood were at 73% - with 50% being associated with death.

Medical records from Mr Beesley's GP, Dr Sam Robinson, at Coombe Down surgery, showed him to be “generally fairly fit and well”. Dr Robinson said Mr Beesley had a gall stone scare in October 2017, but that the ultrasound came back normal.

A routine NHS health check on Sept 28 showed Mr Beesley's cholesterol was only marginally raised, and his blood pressure was “very good”.

In a prepared statement, Ms Jensen said: “I am truly devastated about Terry's death and I will never ever forget what happened that night. I had no idea he was capable of doing what he did.”

Concluding the inquest, Assistant Coroner Dr Peter Harrowing recorded Mr Beesley's death as suicide. “I offer my sincerest condolences to his family and friends," he said.

Ms Jensen described her husband as “independent and outgoing” and said he had many friends amongst his colleagues.

The couple met in 1999 while they were both involved in a London theatre production of King Lear, and had been married for 10 years.

Ms Jensen is best for known for her role in Extras alongside Ricky Gervais and also for her 10-year stint in the comedy Ugly Betty.

Born in London to Irish parents, Mr Beesley's career took off in the 1980s with a string of television appearances along with parts in film and on stage.

He played Buxton in ITV's Victoria, portrayed General Benningsen in BBC One's War & Peace and appeared in the feature film London Has Fallen, all in 2016.

During his career, Mr Beesley also featured in EastEnders, The Bill, Where the Heart Is, Casualty and Midsomer Murders.

SWNS

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