Since Jeff Stelling’s departure from Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, Paul Merson has become the face of the show.
He survived the likes of Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson being cut in the controversial 2020 rebrand. He carried on when Stelling went three years later. And is showing no signs of an exit any time soon.
Merson retired from playing football in 2006. Some, if not most, of the new generation of football fans won’t remember his on-field career. It’s not the same for his colleagues – the likes of Michael Dawson, Tim Sherwood and Mike Dean.
But look past the failure to pronounce more than half of the Premier League players’ names and there’s a man with passion, knowledge and personality that have carried him through life.
Merson’s story is a tough one. His 2022 book ‘Hooked: Addiction and the Long Road to Recovery’ explains a lot. He has, quite frankly, been through the ringer. But now he’s coming out the other side.
Strictly Come Dancing star Paul Merson was an alcoholic and gambling addict and has been on the journey to recovery
The former professional footballer has won the hearts of the nation through his efforts on the hit show
He has, however, been on a lengthy road to recovery with a number of bumps along the way
A quick Wikipedia search of his name outlines some of his past battles and issues. His first marriage crumbled under his recovery from drug and alcohol addiction; he was arrested for drink-driving after a crash in 2011; he has voluntarily attended Alcoholics Anonymous; he opened up on his gambling habits in 2020.
Now 56, Merson’s career was first put in jeopardy when he admitted to alcohol, cocaine and gambling addictions in 1994 at the age of 26. The FA arranged a three-month rehabilitation programme and he was out of the Arsenal side to attend it until February the following year.
His career continued via stints at Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Portsmouth, before he rocked up at Walsall in his twilight years. It was there he would admit himself to the Sierra Tucson Clinic in Arizona to get help for a gambling addiction following advice from the Professional Footballers’ Association, who also funded it.
Following his return, he would become manager of the club and endure a nightmare spell that included relegation and a number of defeats by lower-league teams in cup competitions.
His England career was impacted too. 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, leading 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 covered in his books. It’s not been an easy ride – it never is. But he still talks about his battles – in September 2021, he opened up on a gambling relapse during the first lockdown.
Footballers can often fall victims to careers collapsing. Silly money can often make stars feel invincible, leading to various things. Merson is somewhat different. Money probably played a factor, but addiction is not to do with money.
He once missed three months of action for Arsenal due to alcohol, cocaine and gambling addictions
Now working on Sky Sports as a pundit and reporter, he has admitted to suffering relapses
His career was impacted due to 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 favourite to be voted out this week
Others are surely in the same boat. We’ve seen gambling issues recently through the likes of Sandro Tonali. There are almost certainly more battles going on with similar problems that we don’t hear about.
It’s important for the help to be there. The PFA did wonders for Merson in supporting his recovery. It’s not easy for everyone and things need to improve, but they are slowly, and will, one day, get there. As will those struggling.
Now, as we approach the end of 2024, Merson is back in the mainstream eye. But there’s currently no addiction. No arrests. Just a quickstep to Fred Astaire’s I Won’t Dance and a salsa to Pitbull and John Ryan’s Fireball.
He has won the hearts of the nation with his efforts alongside partner Karen Hauer and continues to stand strong in the competition. According to the bookies, he is the favourite to be eliminated this weekend. That would see him finish in 10th place – but it’s not through the want of trying.
‘Trying my best,’ he posted on X as he shared a video of his Cha Cha. It’s evident to see.
He took to X earlier in October to say he is ‘trying his best’ to succeed on the mainstream programme
Issues with alcohol plagued the chirpy pundit throughout his playing career, including his time at Arsenal
Merson is not perfect – in February he was probed by Advertising Standard Authority for misconduct surrounding product promotion
His life does, however, appear to be on the 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 clients, claim helps skin and anxiety. He’s not the only one – boxing star Ricky Hatton is the first thing you see on the company website.
Merson is not perfect. In February this year he was probed by 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 certainly on the up compared to before and that’s clear to see. This weekend could be his final swansong on Strictly, and he will then disappear back into the football world and arguing with Dean and Simon Thomas on a Saturday.
But he can be proud of his work, his dancing adventure, and, above all, the progress in his journey.
