I HAD a gambling issue at the time I was working for Century Radio. For the first time in what seemed an age, I had money in my pocket again and lots of free time on my hands.

I liked a bet, mostly on big race meetings, but that progressed into something I never saw coming.

When I first started going into Ladbrokes to place a bet, I used to laugh at the regulars who were in there shouting in desperation at the TV, trying to force home a winner so they could eat dinner later that evening.

I was never going to become one of those people. I was far more sensible.

Within a few months, I was screaming at the TV too, ripping up losing slips in disgust and chucking away money on every race on the card.

I even got to the stage where I was betting on virtual dog racing and sneaking around to betting shops away from my regular one in Beeston.

It was ridiculous and I felt there was only one way for me to deal with it.

At the time I was being used for a football column in the Nottingham Evening Post, but they got a column they were not bargaining for when I rang up to confess I was a gambling addict with a problem.

My issues were plastered all over the front page of the newspaper for everyone to see.