Brave and 'endlessly compassionate' child of Fast Show actor took their own life at university

The "brave and beautiful" child of a former Fast Show actor and TV presenter tragically ended their own life while studying as a neuroscience PhD student at Oxford University. Cal Shearer, aged 25, was found deceased in their accommodation at St John's College on October 30.

Cal, who was autistic and transgender, was celebrated for the warmth they brought to others' lives, said their loved ones. They spent their time volunteering for the Samaritans helpline, but had faced significant challenges with personal mental health issues over the years, according to their family.

Their tragic death came after a long battle to find treatment in a struggle their family described as the "all too prevalent but not yet understood crisis of suicides amongst autistic people identifying as trans". Cal left behind a note reading: "I love you and I know how loved I am. I am lucky to have so much love surrounding me," reports the Mirror.

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Cal was the child of Paul Shearer, known from The Fast Show, and Vicky Licorish, a former children's TV presenter. During an initial hearing at Oxford's Coroner's Court Cal's cause of death was given as hanging.

A full inquest into the circumstances is set for 10 March next year.

Vicky Licorish, also an actress and film producer, paid homage to her youngest, sharing images capturing moments of joy. Her tribute read: "Our brave, beautiful, blazingly clever, wickedly funny and endlessly compassionate Cal sadly lost their battle with mental health this week. There are no words."

A memorial page has raised thousands of pounds in memory of Cal for The Samaritans and Gender Intelligence, a charity advocating for trans rights. A family message on the page read: "Cal's passing is a tragic loss to everyone who knew them. They had so much to offer, but the pain of their inner turmoil proved too great for them to bear."

They continued: "Many walked beside Cal during the years they privately struggled with their mental health. Imogen, Cal's long term friend, then partner and, last year, wife never left their side. Now working for the NHS, Imogen tried to secure Cal the right treatment for this all too prevalent but not yet understood crisis of suicides amongst autistic people identifying as trans."

Tributes poured in from fellow students and volunteers who had worked alongside them.

One said: "Cal, I am so grateful to have had the chance to know you. You worked so hard to uplift others despite your own struggles."