FORMER Ashes hero Steve Harmison has admitted he has suffered from suicidal thoughts during a long battle against depression.

The ex-Durham cricketer has revealed how, even at the peak of his career when he was ranked the best bowler in the world, he suffered from mental illness and considered self-harm.

Ashington-born Harmison played 63 Tests for England and memorably took 17 wickets during the 2005 Ashes series victory over Australia.

In his new autobiography Speed Demons, the 38-year-old has spoken candidly about the depression he suffered from an early age.

He reveals that 13 years ago, at a time when England were flying, he had considered self-harm, leading to him being put on anti-depressants which he still takes now.

He said: “Fast forward to the great summer of 2004, when I was number one in the rankings for the Test bowlers.

“It was the same story - only worse. I was in no position to celebrate. I was in no state to do anything.

“England won all seven Tests but as that summer went on I could feel the brightness growing darker.

“The horrible truth was those same feelings, which had consumed me on trips abroad, were overpowering me again - and this time it had nothing to do with being away from home.

“The demons had not bothered to travel. They had come to get me at home, in the middle of a very successful English summer”.

Harmison spoke to England team doctor Peter Gregory and saw a psychologist.

He remembered: “I was asked: ‘Have you ever considered harming yourself?’ That frightened the hell out of me.

“The honest answer was “Maybe”. I can’t say there haven’t been dark times where I thought it would be easier if I wasn’t here.

“It was clear I was clinically depressed and medication would be the way forward. I’ve been on it ever since.”

Harmison is one of a number of cricketers who have spoken about their battles with mental health in recent years including Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Flintoff, Michael Yardy and Monty Panesar, while England international, Jonathan Trott, left the 2013-14 tour to Australia early due to what was described at the time was a stress-related illness.