TOWIE’s Kirk Norcross is seen for the first time since the death of his father Mick

Kirk Norcross was pictured for the first time since the tragic passing of his late father Mick, who was found hanged in his home last month.

The former TOWIE star, 32, who was sporting a black face mask, was seen heading to a shop to pick up some essentials near his home on Thursday.

Kirk wrapped up in a navy hooded jacket and a brown gilet, which he wore with blue jeans and trainers. 

Pictured: Kirk Norcross was pictured for the first time since the tragic passing of his late father Mick, who was found hanged in his Essex home last month

Kirk, who was also wearing a flat cap, carried a plastic bag as well as a selection of other items including a box of coco cola cans, kitchen roll and a bottle of Irn-Bru.

The reality personality also appeared to have popped into his local butchers.

It is the first time Kirk has been seen out in public since the news of his father’s death broke, with the star understandably devastated by the loss.

Stepping out: The former TOWIE star, 32, who was sporting a black face mask, was seen heading to a shop to pick up some essentials near his home on Thursday

Stepping out: The former TOWIE star, 32, who was sporting a black face mask, was seen heading to a shop to pick up some essentials near his home on Thursday

First outing: Kirk wrapped up in a navy hooded jacket and a brown gilet, which he wore with blue jeans and trainers

First outing: Kirk wrapped up in a navy hooded jacket and a brown gilet, which he wore with blue jeans and trainers

It was reported earlier this month Kirk’s father Mick was found hanged in the basement of his Essex mansion aged 57, an inquest heard. 

The TV personality and former owner of The Sugar Hut nightclub in Brentwood was discovered in his gated home in Bulphan, near Upminster, Essex on January 21.

On the day of the inquest Kirk shared a poignant picture of himself hugging his dad. 

Essentials: The reality personality also appeared to have popped into his local butchers

Essentials: The reality personality also appeared to have popped into his local butchers

Essentials: The reality personality also appeared to have popped into his local butchers

Hours before his death, Mick shared a tweet which hinted at his despair, reading: ‘At the end remind yourself that you did the best you could. And that is good enough.’ 

His close-knit family including his son Kirk, who also made his name in TOWIE and is believed to have lived with his father, have been devastated by the shock death. It is not known who found him. 

The short hearing heard how Mick was found dead at the luxury home he’d built in Bulphan, Essex.

Sarah Lee, Assistant coroner’s officer for Essex, said: ‘He was 57 years of age and passed away on the 21st of January, 2021 at Upminster, Essex. Mr Norcross was found hanging in the basement.’ 

Shopping: Kirk, who was also wearing a flat cap, carried a plastic bag as well as a selection of other items including a box of coco cola cans, kitchen roll and a bottle of Irn-Bru

Shopping: Kirk, who was also wearing a flat cap, carried a plastic bag as well as a selection of other items including a box of coco cola cans, kitchen roll and a bottle of Irn-Bru

She said police and paramedics attended and his death was confirmed as non suspicious.

A post mortem carried out at Basildon Hospital showed the cause of death to be ‘suspension by ligature’. Full toxicology reports have taken place but no details of the results were heard.

Assistant Coroner Michelle Brown revealed a detailed letter from a family member had been sent following the tragedy and that will now form part of the full inquest later this year.

Tragic: It is the first time Kirk has been seen out in public since the news of his father's death broke, with the star understandably devastated by the loss

Tragic: It is the first time Kirk has been seen out in public since the news of his father's death broke, with the star understandably devastated by the loss

Tragic: It is the first time Kirk has been seen out in public since the news of his father’s death broke, with the star understandably devastated by the loss

She said: ‘We are still waiting for the toxicology and post mortem reports, also I understand that mobile phone downloads and iPads are being looked into by the police.

‘We also have a very detailed letter from a family member that we have made a request to see if there is anything additional in the live letter.’

The inquest, carried out virtually to due Covid restrictions, was adjourned to July to allow investigations to be completed by the coroner’s office. 

Heartbreaking: It was reported earlier this month Kirk's father Mick was found hanged in the basement of his Essex mansion aged 57, an inquest heard

 Heartbreaking: It was reported earlier this month Kirk’s father Mick was found hanged in the basement of his Essex mansion aged 57, an inquest heard

Shocking: The TV personality and former owner of The Sugar Hut nightclub in Brentwood was discovered in his gated home in Bulphan, near Upminster, Essex on January 21

Shocking: The TV personality and former owner of The Sugar Hut nightclub in Brentwood was discovered in his gated home in Bulphan, near Upminster, Essex on January 21

Mr Norcross was introduced to Towie as the owner of the Sugar Hut nightclub, scene of many of the programme’s famous arguments between cast members.

He left the show in 2013, saying the venue’s prominent place in the show had damaged its brand.

Mick had sold the Sugar Hut nightclub in 2019 and concentrated on his property businesses. Before his death he was developing the famous Grand Hotel in Leigh-on-Sea near Southend into 18 luxury flats, which remains unfinished.

Last tweet: Hours before his death, Mick shared a tweet which hinted at his despair, reading: 'At the end remind yourself that you did the best you could. And that is good enough'

Last tweet: Hours before his death, Mick shared a tweet which hinted at his despair, reading: ‘At the end remind yourself that you did the best you could. And that is good enough’ 

He was also building five luxury houses in Bulphan, called the Bonham Grange Estate, where the asking price for a five-bedroom property is £1.75million. 

But some of the properties have been on the market since November 2019 and remain unsold. Mick lived in a mansion in the same village, which he designed and built himself.  He also had an antiques shop in nearby Brentwood.

Sources close to the late building developer told MailOnline Mick was set to make £5million on the Bonham Grange project but due to drainage issues and the financial cost of repairing damage, his payout was expected to be slashed to £3.5million. 

It is believed the financial hit was the latest in a long line of money issues Mick had suffered over the past two years, made worse by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Sad: Kirk shared a picture of himself hugging his late father Mick as his inquest opened in Chelmsford earlier this month

Sad: Kirk shared a picture of himself hugging his late father Mick as his inquest opened in Chelmsford earlier this month

The friend said: ‘Mick was struggling. A few of his businesses had become problematic financially and they were seriously worrying him. 

He was hoping to receive £5million from the Bonham Grange estate which would have provided a timely boost, but drainage issues and the subsequent effect on the development saw his big pay-day slashed by around 1.5million. It was a huge blow to him.’ 

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details 

Father and son: Mick as seen beaming next to his son Kirk in his final picture, taken three weeks before he was been found dead aged 57.

Father and son: Mick as seen beaming next to his son Kirk in his final picture, taken three weeks before he was been found dead aged 57.