Strictly Come Dancing star Tony Adams has shared that one of his sons is in recovery from alcoholism, admitting he blames himself for the 34-year-old’s addiction issues.
The former Arsenal footballer has been open about his own struggle with alcohol addiction and was at one point imprisoned for drink-driving after an incident that took place while he was four times over the legal driving limit.
He’s now been sober for 30 years and in 2000, he founded the charity Sporting Chance, which provides support for athletes and sportspeople struggling with addiction.
In a new appearance on Matt Willis’s On the Mend podcast, Adams – who has six children and two grandchildren – said of his son Oliver: "My boy is now 34 and he’s in recovery. He doesn’t mind [it being discussed], he’s quite open with it.
“When you see someone you love killing himself, you’re like, whoa,” he said.
Recalling how he felt watching his son “self-destructing” for 10 years, while sober himself, Adams continued: “I’m going 'oh my God… all the blame'. I put him in a bar where my alcoholism took me. I put him behind the bar when he was five with a few toys, a few cars, and I went out on a weekend binge.
"I left him with the publican for a weekend. That’s where my alcoholism took me. No wonder he kind of turns into… you know, he’s affected by this illness."
Tony, who took part in Strictly in 2022, added that when Oliver needed help, “he knew exactly where to come”.
“He asked for help on April 23, which was two and a bit years ago, saying 'dad, I’m f****d, I’m done,'” the former footballer explained. "I said 'Okay, great.’ So, I took him to a meeting, got him a sponsor.”
Oliver celebrated two years of sobriety in July last year, writing in a post on Instagram: “I am 2 years sober and I’m finally at peace & comfortable in my own skin. I didn’t know I didn’t have peace before or even what it was if I’m totally honest.”
“I won’t go into how much better my life is (which it is) or how much I love everyone who has helped and supported me over the last 2 years (which I do) but even when I’ve wanted to cry and scream it’s been an amazing journey,” he continued.
“I’m so excited to continue growing and experiencing all the beautiful things that have come into my life because I’ve stayed clean and sober one day at a time.”
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