Paul Merson was the alcoholic drug and gambling addict who saw his football career blighted by his struggles – now, he’s won the hearts of the nation on Strictly after returning to the mainstream with a bang

Since Jeff Stelling’s departure from Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, Paul Merson has become the face of the show.

He outlived the likes of Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson who were axed in the controversial 2020 rebrand. He continued when Stelling left three years later. And shows no signs of a way out anytime soon.

Merson retired from football in 2006. Some, if not most, of the new generation of football fans will not remember his career on the pitch. It’s not the same for his peers, such as Michael Dawson, Tim Sherwood and Mike Dean.

But look beyond the inability to pronounce more than half the Premier League players’ names and there is a man whose passion, knowledge and personality have carried him through life.

Merson’s story is a difficult one. His 2022 book “Hooked: Addiction and the Long Road to Recovery” explains a lot. To be honest, he’s already had the ringer. But now he’s coming out the other side.

The former professional footballer has won the hearts of the nation through his efforts on the hit show

However, he has had a long road to recovery, with some bumps along the way

A quick Wikipedia search for his name outlines some of his past battles and troubles. His first marriage collapsed as he recovered from drug and alcohol addiction; he was arrested for drunken driving after an accident in 2011; he voluntarily attended Alcoholics Anonymous; he opened up about his gambling habits in 2020.

The career of Merson, now 56, was first threatened when he admitted to alcohol, cocaine and gambling addictions in 1994 at the age of 26. The FA arranged a three-month rehabilitation program and he was away from Arsenal until February. the following year.

His career continued through stints at Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Portsmouth, before moving up to Walsall in his final years. There he would admit himself to the Sierra Tucson Clinic in Arizona to get help for a gambling addiction, on the advice of the Professional Footballers’ Association, which also funded it.

After returning, he would become manager of the club and endure a nightmare that included relegation and a number of defeats by lower division teams in cup competitions.

His career in England was also affected. Terry Venables had told Merson that he would not be selected due to his lifestyle. And he also once tried to break up a fight in the United States while drunk, which led to those involved turning on him and the FBI getting involved – a story told in Merson’s ‘How Not to be a Professional Footballer’ – book.

There are many more stories in his books. It hasn’t been an easy ride, it never is. But he still talks about his struggle: In September 2021, he began to experience a gambling relapse during the first lockdown.

Footballers can often fall victim to career collapse. Foolish money can often make stars feel invincible, which can lead to several things. Merson is somewhat different. Money probably played a role, but addiction has nothing to do with money.

He once missed three months of action for Arsenal due to alcohol, cocaine and gambling addictions

Now working as a pundit and reporter for Sky Sports, he has admitted he has suffered from relapses

His career was affected by his heavy drinking, with former England manager Terry Venables telling him he would not be selected due to his lifestyle.

Despite his efforts and success on Strictly, the ex-footballer is favorite to be voted out this week

Others are certainly in the same boat. We have recently seen gambling problems through people like Sandro Tonali. There are almost certainly more battles going on with similar issues that we’re not hearing about.

It is important that help is there. The PFA did wonders for Merson by supporting his recovery. It’s not easy for everyone and things need to improve, but it’s slow, and one day they will. Just like those who are having a hard time.

As we approach the end of 2024, Merson is back in the mainstream world. But there is currently no addiction. No arrests. Just a quick step to Fred Astaire’s I Won’t Dance and a salsa to Pitbull and John Ryan’s Fireball.

He has captured the hearts of the nation with his efforts alongside partner Karen Hauer and remains strong in the competition. According to the bookmakers, he is the favorite to be eliminated this weekend. That would put him in 10th place, but that’s not for lack of trying.

“I’m trying my best,” he posted on X while sharing a video of his Cha Cha. It’s clear to see.

He told X earlier in October that he is “doing his best” to succeed in the regular program

Problems with alcohol plagued the fun-loving pundit throughout his playing career, including his time at Arsenal

Merson is not perfect: in February he was investigated by the Advertising Standard Authority for misconduct surrounding product promotion

However, his life seems to be on the up and up, despite his expected elimination from Strictly

His profile on the platform appears to be dedicated to promoting Supreme CBD, an apparent oil, or cream, or vape liquid, or edible that its users, or at least customers, claim helps skin and anxiety. He’s not alone: ​​boxing star Ricky Hatton is the first thing you see on the company website.

Merson is not perfect. In February this year, he was investigated by the Advertising Standard Authority for misconduct surrounding his promotion of the CBD product. In May he was banned from driving for six months for repeated speeding offences.

But his life is definitely on the up compared to before and it clearly shows. This weekend could be his final swan song on Strictly, before disappearing back into the football world and feuding with Dean and Simon Thomas on Saturday.

But he can be proud of his work, his dancing adventure and especially the progress of his journey.