Harry Redknapp helped a team of England football legends slim down and defeat a side made up of former Germany stars 4-2 in a match on TV show ‘Harry’s Heroes: The Full English’.
The two-part series came to a dramatic conclusion on Tuesday night (19.03.19) when the Three Lions team, featuring the likes of David Seaman, Paul Merson, Robbie Fowler and Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, beat their rivals in an inspired comeback, after shedding several pounds in a 12-week fitness programme.
Matt Le Tissier was the biggest loser during the series, offloading 10 kilos, earning him the captaincy for the big game, in which England came back from 2-1 down against a Germany side featuring Steffen Freund and Thomas Berthold.
Goals from Rob Lee, Paul Merson, and a Robbie Fowler brace did the damage at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road stadium.
As well as showing the players fighting the flab in a Spanish training camp and back on home soil, the show saw Merson open up about his gambling demons, admitting he is still "struggling badly" with life.
Speaking to the camera, the former Arsenal footballer said: "I’m struggling with life at the moment, struggling badly.
"Life’s fallen apart. Gambling … I’ve just completely lost control again.
"I’m digging a hole – I can’t get out of it. It’s the worst addiction in the world."
Ex-Aston Villa star Merson – who has previously admitted to blowing £7 million on gambling – took to Twitter to thank fans for their support.
He wrote: "Thank you for the supportive tweets, means the world to me. Taking one day at a time but it’s getting better for me. 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. (sic)"
Merson capped off a fine performance against Germany by netting the fourth goal in the final minute after England had gone into the half-time break leading 1-0, only to find themselves 2-1 down just minutes into the second half following a couple of Mark Wright errors.