Paul Merson's gambling struggles revealed on Strictly Come Dancing

Paul Merson, a former professional footballer, has publicly shared his struggles with gambling addiction, which began during his time at Arsenal. His first wife, Lorraine Costin, revealed that she was unaware of the extent of his gambling due to his substantial salary. They married young in 1991 and had three sons, but Lorraine believed she could help him overcome his addiction. However, their relationship deteriorated, leading to their split in 2013. Merson later married Kate, who now manages his finances and provides him with an allowance to help control his gambling urges. Merson has expressed the severity of his addiction, stating that he once wished to harm himself to prevent betting. His experiences highlight the challenges faced by individuals with addiction and the impact on their loved ones.