Since Jeff Stelling's departure from Sky Sports' Soccer on Saturday, Paul Merson has become the face of the show.
It survived the removal of the likes of Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson in the controversial 2020 rebrand. It continued when Stelling left three years later. And he shows no signs of an exit any time 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 field. The same is not true of his colleagues, such as Michael Dawson, Tim Sherwood and Mike Dean.
But if we look beyond not pronouncing more than half of the names of Premier League players, we will see a man with passion, knowledge and personality that has accompanied him throughout life.
Merson's story is hard. His 2022 book 'Hooked: Habit and the Lengthy Street to Restoration' explains a lot. Frankly, he's been through some tough times. But now it's coming out the other side.
Strictly Come Dancing star Paul Merson was an alcoholic and gambling addict and has been on the road to recovery.
The former professional footballer has won the hearts of the nation thanks to his efforts on the hit show.
However, he has come a long road to recovery with a number of obstacles along the way.
A quick search of his name on Wikipedia describes some of his past battles and problems. His first marriage collapsed during his recovery from drug and alcohol addiction; was arrested for driving under the influence after an accident in 2011; has voluntarily attended Alcoholics Anonymous; talked about his gaming habits in 2020.
Now 56, Merson's career was first in jeopardy when he admitted to alcohol, cocaine and gambling addiction in 1994 at the age of 26. The FA organized a three-month rehabilitation program and he was away from Arsenal to attend it until February. the following year.
His career continued with spells at Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Portsmouth, before succeeding at Walsall in his later years. It was there that he would enter the Sierra Tucson Clinic in Arizona to receive help for his gambling addiction following the advice of the Professional Footballers Association, which also financed it.
Upon his return, he would become the club's manager and endure a nightmare that included relegation and a series of defeats to lower league teams in cup competitions.
His career in England was also affected. Terry Venables had told Merson that he would not be selected because of 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 book “How Not to Be a Professional Footballer.”
There are many more stories covered in his books. It has not been an easy journey; it never is. But he still talks about his battles: in September 2021, he spoke of a relapse in gambling during the first lockdown.
Footballers can often be victims of the collapse of their careers. Dumb money can often make stars feel invincible, which leads to several things. Merson is something 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 his addiction to alcohol, cocaine and gambling.
He now works for Sky Sports as an expert and reporter and admitted to having suffered relapses.
His career suffered due to his excessive alcohol consumption, and former England manager Terry Venables told him he would not be selected due to his lifestyle.
Despite his efforts and success on Strictly, the former footballer is the favorite to be eliminated this week.
Surely others are in the same boat. Recently we have seen problems with the game through people like Sandro Tonali. There are almost certainly more battles with similar problems that we don't hear about.
It is important that help is there. The PFA did wonders for Merson in supporting his recovery. It is not easy for everyone and things must improve, but they are going little by little and one day they will achieve it. Just like those who fight.
Now, as we approach the end of 2024, Merson is back in the public eye. But currently there is no addiction. No arrests. Just a quick lick of Fred Astaire's I Received't Dance and a dip of John Ryan's Pitbull and Fireball.
He has won the hearts of the nation with his efforts alongside his partner Karen Hauer and continues to stay strong in the competition. According to the betting houses, he is the favorite to be eliminated this weekend. That would allow him to finish in tenth place, but it's not for lack of trying.
“Doing my best,” he posted on X while sharing a video of his Cha Cha. It is evident to see.
In early October he went to X to say that he is “doing everything he can” to succeed on the main show.
Problems with alcohol plagued the cheerful pundit throughout his playing career, including his time at Arsenal.
Merson is not perfect: in February the Advertising Standards Authority investigated him for misconduct in promoting products.
However, her life appears to be looking up, despite her expected elimination from Strictly.
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His profile on the platform appears to be dedicated to promoting Supreme CBD, an apparent oil, cream, vape liquid or edible that, according to its users, or at least customers, helps skin and anxiety. He's not the only one: boxing star Ricky Hatton is the first thing you see on the company's website.
Merson is not perfect. In February this year, he was investigated by the Advertising Standards Authority for misconduct surrounding the promotion of the CBD product. In May, he was banned from driving for six months for repeated speeding offences.
But his life is certainly improving compared to before and that is clear to see. This weekend could be his last swan song on Strictly, and then he will disappear back into the football world and argue with Dean and Simon Thomas on a Saturday.
But you can be proud of your work, your dancing adventure and, above all, the progress along your path.
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