Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sir Bob Geldof reveals: 'I blame myself for Peaches' death'

The musician's 24-year-old daughter was found dead from a heroin overdose in April

Ian Johnston
Thursday 16 October 2014 08:43 BST
Bob Geldof with his daughter Peaches, who died of an overdose aged 24
Bob Geldof with his daughter Peaches, who died of an overdose aged 24 (Rex Features)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir Bob Geldof “blames himself” for the death of his “super bright” but “errant” daughter Peaches, he has said in an interview.

The musician and activist said he had tried to talk to his 24-year-old daughter, who was found dead from a heroin overdose in April, about her use of drugs but questioned his own actions repeatedly.

“You blame yourself. You’re the father who is responsible and clearly failed,” he told ITV News. “For anybody watching, who has a dead kid and you’re a parent. You go back, you go back, you go back, you go back, you go back, you go over, you go over. What could you have done? You do as much as you can.”

Sir Bob said Peaches, who had two children aged one and two, was “super bright, too bright” with a “very errant mind that could focus intensely on a book which she would consume and just absorb it. But the rest was a franticness. She knew what life was supposed to be and God bless her she tried very hard to get there. And she didn’t make it,” he added.

He also said that negative coverage of his daughters by newspapers following their mother Paula Yates’ death in 2000 had “damaged” them.

Performing with the Boomtown Rats gave him a moment’s break from his grief. “I put on my snakeskin suit and I can be this other thing,” Sir Bob said.

“It is utterly cathartic. Those two hours and I am drained. In every sense it empties, it drains my mind. On stage I’m lost in this thing and it’s a very brief respite.”

The Samaritans can be reached on 08457 90 90 90

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in