A singer and former cover star of Smash Hits magazine committed suicide after the death of his partner, an inquest heard on Tuesday.

Matthew Fretton died on October 29 2013, aged 49, in his home in Badingham.

The inquest was held by Suffolk coroner Peter Dean at Lowestoft Magistrates’ Court. Matthew Fretton was a singer in the 1980s, his only chart single ‘It’s So High’ reached number 50 in 1983. But he supported new wave bands including Depeche Mode and Eurythmics, and was also the cover star of an issue of Smash Hits magazine in June 1983.

The inquest heard his partner had died in a ‘swimming pond’, specifically for women, in London last year.

Dr Dean said: “He had become very withdrawn after this.”

The inquest also heard that he had left a suicide note.

Dr Dean added: “It is clear that the loss of his partner had been a significant loss for Mr Fretton.”