Strictly Come Dancing 'signs Sky Sports legend' for 2024 series as impressive line-up takes shape

ok.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing has been at the centre of a misconduct storm over recent weeks, but with the professional dancers already training, the show is still preparing to return in the coming months.

And with that comes the news that the BBC have signed up former footballer and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson for the show. "Paul will be a popular addition," a source told The Sun.The former Arsenal and England player has battled addictions to drugs, alcohol and betting - spending a reported £7m on these vices. "The more I drank, the more I gambled, and the more I gambled and lost, the more I drank.Then the drinking weren’t enough and the drugs come in… it’s just a massive cycle," he recalled last year.

Now, Paul openly talks about his past and is keen to help others, with the source predicting he will be a hit amongst Strictly fans.They 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.” "Paul has absolutely owned his past and works every day to move forward.