Joshua Keefe performs with fellow pros on Strictly
Football legend Paul Merson is rumoured to be taking to the dance floor on Strictly Come Dancing, having triumphed over his personal struggles with alcohol, drugs, and gambling.
The esteemed Sky Sports analyst is poised to dazzle audiences with his footwork as he joins the cast during a contentious period for the beloved BBC programme. Although the ex-Arsenal star is expected to charm a segment of the audience, his participation might stir controversy due to a past police caution for assaulting his wife.
Paul has emerged victorious against his vices, having conquered previous addictions to drink, drugs, and betting. His football career was illustrious, featuring an 11-season stint at Arsenal starting in the 1986-1987 season and earning 21 caps for England.
An insider from the BBC series disclosed to The Sun: "Paul will be a popular addition. Footballers always do well with fans, whether they can dance or not. But he also has a past, having had to battle addictions to drugs, booze and gambling."
Paul's journey through his personal issues has been public, including his appearance in the 2019 ITV documentary Harry's Heroes: The Full English, where he opened up to Harry Redknapp about the destructive impact of gambling and substance misuse on his life, reports the Mirror.
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At the time, he confessed: "Addiction is the most lonely of places and I've had three of the worst types over three decades. Never be afraid to talk - you're never alone."
Paul, who squandered his £7million fortune on alcohol, drugs, and gambling in the 90s, acknowledged in the documentary that he battles daily with the temptation to gamble. The father of eight, whose substance abuse and addiction issues ended his first marriage, has been married three times as his personal life suffered due to his struggles.
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In 2003, he received a caution for assaulting his second wife, Louise, during an argument about his gambling habits. At the time, she remarked: "Like many people with an addictive personality, he is struggling to cope. At the moment he isn't coping too well."
Later in the same year, Paul sought assistance from ex-Arsenal skipper Tony Adams, who founded the Sporting Chance clinic to support former athletes. Paul also featured in the 2021 BBC documentary 'Football, Gambling and Me'.
A television insider noted: "Paul has absolutely owned his past and works every day to move forward. He has become a powerful voice seeking to help others with regular charity work and it's hoped he can show just how far he's come on the primetime show. But the timing will jar amid the current claims about toxic behaviour of some Strictly professionals."
Paul is joined on the Strictly roster by already-announced competitors DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, blind comedian Chris McCausland and TOWIE star Pete Wicks.
