Mick Norcross was found dead by his son Kirk Norcross, an inquest into the TOWIE star's death heard today.
The former Sugar Hut owner, 57, died at his Essex home on January 21 - and at the Chelmsford Coroners' Court today, attendees were shown CCTV footage of the day in question.
Mick was seen walking across his courtyard into his house at 1.37pm, and an hour later Kirk and other family members appeared and looked through the windows.
Kirk then forced entry into the house by smashing windows with a hammer and entering Mick's pool house.
Speaking to the court, Essex Police inspector Neil Armstrong reported that Mick was facing financial strain from a number of property investments, one of which required £1 million to finish.
"It's clear to me from what has been explained there was significant financial difficulties," he said. "Mr Norcross was faced with the loss of a lifetime of his work and potentially family home.
"And it appears that was weighing heavily on him."
In a pre-written statement that was read to the court on his behalf, Kirk said that his dad's mood had changed significantly during the coronavirus lockdown.
"One thing I noticed was that he was always down and deflated. He would show zero interest," he wrote. "I remember having a conversation with mum telling her dad wasn't himself.
"I wouldn't say my father had any mental health issues [and] he was never diagnosed with depression to my knowledge.
"My father on occasions would make passing comments saying 'this money is not worth this agg, I'm better offing myself'. I just thought he was joking or it was a figure of speech. I never thought he would do anything.
"I wouldn't describe it as a cry for help. The financial issue was the only issue going on in my father's life at time so I put the behaviour down to this."
The coroner ruled his death suicide by hanging.
Neil Wilkes
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