Brendan Fevola says his sordid past is the secret to his success as a radio star

Brendan Fevola says his seedy past is the secret to his success as a radio star and helps him connect with listeners.

Brendan Fevola says his rough and tumble antics off the football field laid the foundation for his current success as a radio star.

Describing most media personalities as ‘fair skins who’ve lived a good life’, the Fox FM breakfast presenter and former AFL great calls himself a ‘bag of a jerk’, saying it’s something with what your listeners can relate to.

Brendan, who was sacked by the Brisbane Lions in 2011, made the comments during an interview last month on the for the ride podcast.

“I think the beauty of what I’ve done in the past has really helped me in radio,” he said.

The portly former Carlton big has battled alcohol and gambling problems and has frequently made headlines with his outrageous antics.

Brendan Fevola (pictured) says his rough antics and falls off the football field laid the foundation for his current success as a radio star.

Brendan says her striking image is 'real' and something listeners can relate to.  Pictured with his Fox FM co-hosts Nick Cody and Fifi Box

Brendan says her striking image is ‘real’ and something listeners can relate to. Pictured with his Fox FM co-hosts Nick Cody and Fifi Box

Fevola, who played 204 games for the Carlton Blues and Brisbane Lions before leaving first-class football for good 13 years ago, has a history of addiction.

He infamously sold his Coleman Medal to feed his out-of-control gambling habit.

The lovable star said losing a job and being kicked out of the AFL and doing “certain things I shouldn’t have done…people can relate to that, they know I’m real.”

The Dancing with the Stars veteran also admitted that he makes the most of his image as a mischievous and ‘jerk’ larrikin.

But he says, “all the times I’ve filled myself up or done bad things in my past, geez, it’s great for radio,” he said.

The former Carlton great has battled alcohol and gambling problems.  In the photo with his wife Alex Fevola

The former Carlton great has battled alcohol and gambling problems. In the photo with his wife Alex Fevola

Brendan is Mia's stepfather, while he and Alex are also parents to their daughters Leni, Lulu and Tobi (all pictured).

Brendan is Mia’s stepfather, while he and Alex are also parents to their daughters Leni, Lulu and Tobi (all pictured).

“It’s a good topic for telephone operators and I can relate to a lot of things.”

Brendan, a father of four, co-hosts the breakfast show Fifi, Fev and Nick on Fox FM with Fifi Box and Nick Cody.

Brendan, who is married to Alex Fevola, is Mia’s stepfather, while he and Alex also have daughters. Leni, Lulu and Tobi.

The high-profile couple married in 2005, divorced in 2014, and got engaged again in 2016.