Arsenal legend Paul Merson signs for Strictly in stunning six-figure deal as BBC desperately try to save crisis-hit show
FOOTIE favourite Paul Merson hopes to show off some dazzling footwork after signing for Strictly Come Dancing.
The Arsenal legend, 56, now a Sky Sports pundit, has overcome drink, drug and gambling addictions.
A source on the BBC show said: “Paul will be a popular addition.”
But insiders warned the show — currently probing claims of bullying and abuse — risks a backlash as Merse was once cautioned by police for assaulting his wife.
A source said: “Footballers always do well with fans, whether they can dance or not. But he also has a past, having had to battle addictions to drugs, booze and gambling.”
The 56-year-old, who played for Arsenal for 11 seasons and earned 21 England caps, has opened up on his troubles in a number of TV documentaries.
In the 2019 ITV doc Harry’s Heroes: The Full English, he had a candid discussion with Harry Redknapp about how substance abuse and gambling affected his life.
The three-times wed ace said at the time: “Addiction is the most lonely of places and I’ve had three of the worst types over three decades. Never be afraid to talk — you’re never alone.”
Merson, who notoriously blew his £7million career earnings on alcohol, drugs and gambling in the 1990s, also revealed he still had to fight the urge to bet.
But his relationship with women could be the focus of critics.
The dad of eight’s first marriage is said to have crumbled under the pressure of his recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism.
In 2003 he accepted a caution for assault on second wife Louise after a clash over his gambling.
She stuck by him, saying: “Like many people with an addictive personality, he is struggling to cope. At the moment he isn’t coping too well.”
Later that year he received help from the Sporting Chance clinic, set up by his former team captain Adams.
And in 2021 he faced his past problems with betting in BBC documentary Football, Gambling and Me.
A TV source said: “Paul has absolutely owned his past and works every day to move forward. He has become a powerful voice seeking to help others with regular charity work and it’s hoped he can show just how far he’s come on the primetime show.
“But the timing will jar amid the current claims about toxic behaviour of some Strictly professionals.
Paul joins DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, blind comedian Chris McCausland and Towie star Pete Wicks on the line-up, which the BBC is days from revealing in full.
Last night it declined to comment.
Strictly's Full Scandal So Far
Strictly Come Dancing's scandal has been growing over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on. Here are the key moments of what's happened so far
16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.
17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.
16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.
8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.
10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.
13th July: Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for “gross misconduct” after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.
Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he “deeply regrets it”, adding his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime.”
15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.
16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were “amazing to work with”, she found the rehearsal room “completely different”, confirming there’s footage of “certain situations”.
19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his “1970s attitude” and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a “p***” after getting a spray tan.
21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.
22nd July: MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.
23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.
23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is ‘deeply sorry’, adding: “Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.
“At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”
