Supernatural star Jared Padalecki
Cast member Jared Padalecki speaks at a panel for The CW television series "Supernatural" during the Television Critics Association Cable Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, California July 18, 2014. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

“Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles has explained why Jared Padalecki has suddenly bailed out on their show conventions in Rome and Australia. The 32-year-old actor sent cryptic tweets on Friday, saying he needed to go home to his family and would miss Jus in Bello 6 in Rome and the All Hell Breaks Loose 5 convention in Sydney and Melbourne.

The stars of the long-running U.S. fantasy/horror series were due to greet fans from May 15 to 17 in Rome for their annual fan convention. However, Padalecki, who plays main character Sam, suddenly posted cryptic messages on Twitter on Friday, making his fans worry about his condition. He apologised for his absence, adding he needed to be with his family. He also asked them to write him a message.

The hashtag Always Keep Fighting refers to his t-shirt campaign that is tied to the non-profit organisation To Write Love On Her Arms, which helps people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. With the hashtag mentioned in his tweet, some fans were worried that Padalecki, who has been open about his own struggle with depression, was suffering emotionally.

The official Twitter account of JIBCON shed some light on the situation, telling convention-goers the beloved actor wasn’t feeling well. Although they didn’t know for sure what was ailing Padalecki, the fans quickly turned to Twitter and other social networking sites to send him messages of love. Ackles and “Supernatural” co-star Misha Collins, as well as the show’s recurring guest stars Kim Rhodes, Lauren Tom, Timothy Omundson, Ty Olsson and Osric Chau, tweeted their support and love for Padalecki.

During the opening of the JIB convention, Ackles addressed Padalecki’s absence, confirming the JIBCON tweet about the slightly younger actor’s condition. “In true Jared fashion, he exhausted himself to the point where he had to tap out,” the 37-year-old star, who played Dean in the show, said. “He needed to go home and get some rest and be with his family. And he knows that this family,” Ackles pointed to the show’s stars who lined up on stage, “is gonna miss him.”

As Padalecki tweeted, it appears he would also miss the All Hell Breaks Loose 5 on May 23 in Melbourne and on May 24 in Sydney. Apart from Ackles, JIBCON also has a few of “Supernatural” present, recurring and past stars in attendance, namely Collins, Mark A. Sheppard, Felicia Day, Richard Speight, Jr., Rob Benedict, Jim Beaver and Chau.

The final episode of the show’s 10th season airs on Wednesday in the U.S.

Watch Ackles’ explanation of Padalecki’s absence in JIBCON:


YouTube/thiniassk

Contact the writer: a.lu@ibtimes.com.au

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