Smallscreen News

James Hewitt interview: Suicide thoughts, paternity rumors and regrets April 25

By April MacIntyre Apr 24, 2011, 21:17 GMT

10/20/1987 - Prince Harry and George McCorquodale - Princess Diana File Photos - Republic of Kenya - Kenya, Africa © Landmark / PR Photos

Like a bad penny, he's back: James Hewitt, Princess Di’s former lover, fled England and the paparazzi five years ago. 

His only connection to the Royal family will be to watch the upcoming Royal Wedding from his restaurant in Spain.

However, in a candid interview this weekend with Inside Edition, Hewitt reveals for the first time how low his life had become in England.

Inside Edition sent us an excerpt:

“Well, strange enough, I got in my car and loaded a few things up to get on the ferry to go to France -- to shoot myself.  And then my mother insisted on coming with me.  And, had she hadn’t. I would have probably have shot myself.  So I owe her (my mother) my life really.”

INSIDE EDITION:  “You contemplated suicide, why?”

HEWITT:  “I felt I had let people down.”

INSIDE EDITION:  “Who?”

HEWITT:  “Probably myself.  My family.  My friends.  The nation. The army. My regiment.  Other than that, (joking) no one at all.”

But on the topic of Prince Harry’s paternity, Hewitt is tightlipped and denies being his father -- despite the uncanny resemblance.

INSIDE EDITION: “Are you Prince Harry’s real father?”

HEWITT: “No I am not. I am not happy talking about it.”

INSIDE EDITION: “Why not?”

HEWITT: “It’s out of respect for everyone.”

On his feelings for Princess Diana, Hewitt has tried, unsuccessfully, to forget about that time of his life.

INSIDE EDITION: “Do you still miss her?”

HEWITT: “Yes.  I think we all miss her...But I’ve tried to move on with my life.  And, if you make a decision to move on, in the way that I have, I have tried to leave it all behind as a whole.”

Hewitt tells INSIDE EDITION that he plans to celebrate the upcoming Royal Wedding with a party at his restaurant in Spain for the British ex-patriots -- only because his restaurant patrons demand it.   The party will be a seven course meal while they watch highlights of Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton.

HEWITT:  “It will be a bit like July the 4th.”

Inside Edition's interview with Hewitt will be broadcast Monday, April 25th.