IT IS one of the most taboo subjects in modern Britain.

But with male suicide the biggest killers of men under the age of 50, should more men be upfront with their emotions?

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! launched less than three weeks ago and already ex-Saints footballer, Wayne Bridge has cried three times.

Just days into the jungle, the sportsman broke down in tears to ex-EastEnders actor Larry Lamb, when he revealed he was missing his wife and children.

Last week, Wayne was reduced to tears again on his eldest son Jayden’s birthday. The father of three, became overcome with emotion as the camp surprised him by singing happy birthday to the 10-year-old.

This week, he was left emotional again when fellow campmate, Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo exited the jungle.

But the former Saints player has even said: “I need to man up a little bit.”

So why does society still have the ideology that to be a man, one must not show any emotions. Does it date back to the stiff British upper lip?

The Keep Calm and Carry On mentality was first used as a slogan, in a motivational poster produced by the British government in 1939. The poster was designed in preparation for the Second World War, at a time when men were scared of their fates in the armed forces.

Hampshire psychologist Dr Norman Claringbull said: “People who bottle up their emotions are like a pressure cooker without an escape vale, eventually they blow up.

“Interestingly, I have found that the best organisation for looking after their employee’s mental health is the ‘super macho’ royal marines.

“That is because as an organisation they understand the importance of mental wellbeing as well as physical.”

Figures released the Office of National Statistics revealed that, whilst the female suicide rate in the UK rose in 2015 and the male suicide rate slightly declined, males still account for three in every four UK suicides.

CALM’s Chair of Trustees, James Scroggs said: “CALM has been working phenomenally hard to get male suicide on the agenda for ten years.

“Now one in three people in the UK are aware suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45, we’re reaching a tipping point.”

A study conducted last year by men’s grooming brand Lynx and the male suicide charity found that over one third (42%) of British men aged 18 to 45, say they have contemplated taking their own lives.

CALM patron, rapper Professor Green, pictured right, has even revealed that his own father’s suicide affected him his whole life and has been campaigning to break down the stigma of mental health issues.

Mental health charity Mind have also found that four in five 18- to 34-year-old men put on a brave face when they are anxious.

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health issues and the charity believes that crying is proactive way to counteract its effects.

“It think it important that men feel able to show their emotions.

“It is emotional and physiologically healthy to cry or express how you are feeling,” said Doctor Claringbull.

In 2012, tennis champion Andy Murray cried on Centre Court after losing his first Wimbledon final and did so again this year after winning his second title this year.

And Murray is now looking to use his status and experiences to urge men to open up about the issues that confront them.

Currently charity Samaritans, who aim to provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the UK, receive a phone call from someone in need every six seconds.

In their research report entitled Men and Suicide they found that men respond to stress by taking risks, like misusing alcohol and drugs and the main reason for this was because men compare themselves against a ‘gold standard’ which prizes power, control and invincibility.

For help regarding sucide or depression call Samaritans on 116 123 – the 24-hour service is available every day of the year.