Founding member of 1980s pop group Level 42, Boon Gould, took his own life, a coroner has ruled.

Rowland Charles Gould, known as Boon, was born in Shanklin and formed the band with brother Phil Gould, frontman Mark King and Mike Lindup on the Isle of Wight in 1979.

They went on to have huge chart success.

Guitarist Mr Gould, 64, was found dead at a friend's home in Uffculme, Devon, on 30 April.

He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and told doctors he had suffered from depression all his life, the inquest heard.

Deborah Archer, assistant coroner in Exeter, said he had been open and honest with family and friends about the degree of suffering he was going through, and had tried different types of therapy.

Level 42 vocalist Mark King described Mr Gould as a 'dear friend and brother'.

The cause of death was hanging.

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