McAllister: No sign Speed was depressed

Gary McAllister was close to tears while speaking of his former Leeds United teammate and close friend Gary Speed following the 42-year-old's apparent suicide.

The Wales international manager was found dead at his home in Cheshire yesterday morning.

Ex-Liverpool player, McAllister, who was with Speed filming an episode of BBC Football Focus on the day he died, has said that there were no indications that the former Newcastle United midfielder would shortly take his own life.

"The news just turned me to jelly, it shook me to the bones," McAllister told Sky Sports News. "I was in shock for most of the day. I couldn't believe it, being with him effectively that day shooting Football Focus. Twenty minutes before we went on air, he was the normal Gary Speed to me, just the guy I've known for a long, long time.

"He was very excited about the prospects of his national team. He was upbeat, he was Gary Speed. He was looking class, he's a movie star in my eyes.

"I couldn't see anything in Gary that would suggest he was depressed or feeling anxiety. He was just the Gary Speed that I know. I still think it's a nightmare."

An inquest is due to open tomorrow afternoon at Warrington Crown Court.