THE former boyfriend of reality TV star Jessica Cunningham took his own life, an inquest heard.

Alistair Eccles, 35, was found hanged at friend Sarfraz Ahmed’s flat in Underley Street, Burnley, on August 11, 2017.

He had been due to see his three daughters from his relationship with the Celebrity Big Brother and Apprentice favourite.

The pair split up in 2014 and had ran fashion business Famous Frocks together, before Jessica ended the relationship after Alistair was convicted of fraud.

The hearing at Preston Coroner’s Court was told he had a history of anxiety and depression.

Mr Eccles, from New Bath Street, Colne, was pronounced dead in hospital with tests showing he had taken alcohol and cocaine shortly before his death.

A statement from Miss Cunningham at the inquest read: “We had three children together but we had difficulties and separated in September 2014. When we were separated I lived in another part of the country.

“He still saw the children and we were in contact with each other very regularly.

“He saw the children every other weekend and everything seemed fine and his life was on track. There were normal text messages and they flowed regularly about the children. I was contacted by his family to say that he had passed away.”

Burnley reality star Jessica Cunningham devastated by the death of her ex-partner Alistair Eccles

Pathologist Dr Muammer Al-Mudhaffer said the cause of death was hanging and toxicology reports showed there had been evidence of cocaine and alcohol use shortly before death.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Coroner Richard Taylor said: “Mr Eccles had a background history of anxiety and depression and he hadn’t seen his GP since September 2014.

He was pronounced dead at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital on August 11, 2017 having hanged himself.”