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    Will Paris tan Tyson Fury’s hide after his frolics with the suncream babes?

    HIS £200million superfight with Anthony Joshua could be on the verge of collapse but Tyson Fury faces a much bigger battle – the wrath of his missus.Just days after the undefeated, 6ft 9in Gypsy King was pictured being slathered in suntan oil by bikini-clad glamazons, pregnant Paris dropped everything to join him in Miami.
    Tyson Fury invoked the wrath of his wife when he was pictured being slathered in suncream by bikini-clad womenCredit: Mega
    The move prompted those close to the mother-of-five to speculate about whether she is “marking her turf”.
    A source said: “Paris has stood by Tyson during the most turbulent time possible, but that doesn’t mean she’ll put up with anything.
    “She’s strong-willed, with a mind of her own.
    “It looks like Tyson was just enjoying some light-hearted flirting. But if he crosses the line, he’ll know about it.”
    And in an apparent warning shot, Paris, 31, ditched her wedding ring in snaps posted to Instagram hours after the pictures of her husband’s poolside revelry emerged.
    The Gypsy King has been married to Paris for 12 yearsCredit: Getty
    It led Tyson, 32, to acknowledge he was in her “bad books” — and she was soon booked on a first-class flight with her full Fury brood to join him in Florida.
    Friends insist the couple are now “better than ever” after being reunited in the States.
    As if to prove it, Tyson has bombarded social media with loved-up photos and videos of their time in the US.
    One video, posted on Wednesday, shows them dancing in their swimwear, as the boxer protectively cradles Paris’s baby bump.
    Later that night, fans were treated to footage of the couple smooching in a restaurant.
    One boxing source remarked: “He’d be better off concentrating on his training. It’s a distraction.”
    Pregnant Paris quickly jetted off to join her husband in MiamiCredit: Instagram
    But while the shots of Tyson being oiled up by American beauties might have stung his wife, the couple have overcome far bigger obstacles during their 12-year marriage.
    DRUNKEN BLUR
    Both of Irish traveller descent, they met when Paris was 15, and he a year older, at a mutual friend’s wedding.
    After a chance meeting the next year, they began dating then married in a gypsy wedding at Doncaster’s St Peter-in-Chains Catholic Church in 2009.
    But the religious pair did not sleep together until their wedding night.
    Paris said: “Even after we got engaged, Tyson would sleep in a caravan in the yard of my parents’ home while I slept in the house.”
    Tyson’s career took off early in their marriage.
    In 2015, he pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s history by beating Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight world titles, then declaring it a “dream come true”.
    Insiders say Paris is ‘marking her turf’Credit: instagram
    But the £4million prize and fame could not mask his torment behind the scenes.
    Tyson fell into a deep depression after bottling up feelings over Paris’s 2014 miscarriage and the death of his uncle Hughie, aged 50, after a blood clot following a routine op led to a cardiac arrest.
    A rematch with Klitschko was cancelled as Tyson failed a drugs test, gave up his titles — now held, as well as the IBO belt, by British rival Joshua — and had his fight licence suspended.
    He heard voices in his head, saw demons, ballooned to 28st on a diet of takeaways and sweets, and unravelled into a drunken blur.
    Paris and Tyson are currently expecting their sixth child
    By 2016, his boozing and cocaine binges threatened to tear apart his marriage.
    Paris admitted it was a “terrible time” watching him “putting his body and himself and his brain through all the torment he was going through in his own head”.
    She revealed: “I wanted to leave, every day. I packed the car and the kids a few times. But I’m like, ‘How can I leave?’ If you truly love someone, you’re not going to leave them to crash and burn.”
    Tyson made a series of ill-advised public outbursts, attacking gay people and Jews, and joking about “slapping bitches”.
    In June 2016, he tested positive for a prescribed steroid and admitted he was taking “lots” of cocaine.
    Fans were concerned when Paris was spotted without her wedding ring hours after the pictures emergedCredit: Instagram / Paris Fury
    He confessed all in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, saying: “The only thing that helps me is when I get drunk out of me mind.
    “I’ve done lots of cocaine. Lots of it. Why shouldn’t I take cocaine? It’s my life, isn’t it? What the f*** has that got to do with anything?
    “I’m as fat as a pig. I don’t even want to wake up. I hope I die every day.”
    His lowest point that year came when he tried to take his own life after he “lost the will to live”.
    ‘LITTLE BIT OF INFIDELITY’
    Climbing into the Ferrari supercar bought with his winnings against Klitschko, he planned to plough it into a motorway bridge.
    He recalled: “I got the car up to 190mph. I didn’t care what anybody was thinking. I didn’t care about hurting my family, friends, anybody.
    “As I was heading towards that bridge I heard a voice say, ‘Don’t do this. Think about your family, your boys and girls growing up with no father, everybody saying their dad was a weak man who left you and took the easy way out’.”
    But the couple have overcome bigger obstacles, including Tyson’s booze and cocaine bingesCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101
    A switch seemingly flicked and Tyson astonished everyone again by getting clean.
    Over the next 12 months, he ditched the cocaine, sobered up, lost ten stone and trained hard to get back to peak fitness.
    Tyson admits that there was “a little bit” of infidelity during those hazy cocaine years, but refused to reveal more.
    While he is now devoted to his family, he admits women hit on him “all the time”.
    He said: “Everywhere I go, and not just because they know who I am.
    “I could go to foreign countries where people don’t know me and they’re still hitting on me.
    Paris stayed with him throughout despite his ‘little bit’ of infidelityCredit: Instagram
    “Because I’m tall, dark and handsome. Good dress sense. In shape. They’re like, ‘Who is this guy? Is he Brad Pitt? George Clooney?’.”
    But he insists Paris need not worry, because after all the “bulls*** I’ve put her through, I’m not going anywhere”.
    The couple, who live in a modest £550,000 home in Morecambe, Lancs, have also differed over raising their children — daughters Venezuela, ten, Valencia, three, and sons Prince John James, eight, Prince Tyson II, four, and Prince Adonis Amaziah, one.
    In 2020’s Channel 5 documentary, Tyson Fury: The Gypsy King, the pair argued about whether they should let their kids go to secondary school.
    Paris said: “I was brought up a traveller and want my kids to be brought up as travellers.
    “They’ll probably leave school at 11 and be educated at home.
    Paris also supported her husband after he tried to take his own lifeCredit: Getty
    “The boys will take a wife and make their family, the girls will take a husband and make their family.”
    But Tyson described parents who do not allow their children to go to school as “dream killers”.
    He said: “Whatever all the kids want to do, I’ll just be happy they are following their dreams.”
    Asked if he would like his sons to follow in his footsteps as boxers, he added: “I would like my children to better that.
    “I would love them to be the first Fury to graduate at university.”
    In February last year, he won the WBC world title from American Deontay Wilder and in August this year, Tyson is scheduled to fight Joshua, 31, for his old titles plus the IBO belt.
    In 2018 Tyson managed to get clean and trained hard to get back to peak fitnessCredit: Getty
    There was concern in March this year when he revealed he was drinking up to a dozen beers a day and had quit training because he was fed up with fights collapsing.
    He said: “I’ve stopped training at the moment — I’m on holiday. I am drinking between eight, ten, 12 pints of lager a day.”
    Now his £200million clash with Joshua is on ice after a US judge ruled that Tyson first owes Wilder a rematch.
    On Instagram, Tyson said Wilder had “asked for $20million [£14million] to move over” and he added: “Looks like I’ll have to crack his skull again.”
    Now he’s set to go head-to-head with Anthony Joshua later this yearCredit: PA

    He went on to trash-talk the Olympian — who he now looks set to fight in Las Vegas this summer.
    Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum said the Joshua fight will be moved to November or December while they “get rid of” the American.
    It’s not the first time Tyson’s life has cut up a little complicated. But once more, the Gypsy King is coming out swinging.
    Tyson Fury kisses pregnant wife Paris after enjoying sunbathing session with brother Tommy in Miami More

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    After Marcus Rashford’s split from girlfriend Lucia Loi, what happened to the WAGs from the 2018 World Cup team

    WHEN it comes to the wags of the 2018 World Cup it hasn’t always been from Russia with love.The Sun on Sunday this weekend revealed that England ace Marcus Rashford had split from Lucia Loi, his girlfriend of eight years.
    The Sun on Sunday this weekend revealed that England ace Marcus Rashford had split from Lucia LoiCredit: Getty
    The 23-year-old PR executive fell for Marcus while they were at school.
    The pair have blamed their break-up three months ago on the stress of lockdown, with pals claiming the Manchester United player is devastated.
    Sadly, some of his England team-mates have been shown the red card too.
    Kate Jackson takes a look at what happened to the wags of the 2018 squad and their superstar partners.
    The 23-year-old PR executive fell for Marcus while they were at school, eight years ago
    We take a look at what happened to the wags of the 2018 squadCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
    REBEKAH VARDY
    Rebekah Vardy starred on Gogglebox with Jamie and has been a panellist on Loose WomenCredit: PA
    IT’S a big week for Rebekah and husband Jamie after his team Leicester City bagged the FA Cup on Saturday.
    The striker, 34, has three children with Rebekah – one-year-old Olivia, Finley, three, and Sofia, five.
    Since the World Cup, Rebekah, 39, has been a panellist on Loose Women and starred on Gogglebox with Jamie.
    But the most talked-about event has been Rebekah’s “Wagatha Christie” spat with Coleen Rooney, 35.
    The wife of former Man United ace Wayne accused Rebekah of leaking stories to the press, claims she strongly denies.
    Their legal battle continues.
    FERN HAWKINS
    MANCHESTER United defender Harry Maguire, 28, and fiancée Fern have two daughters – Lillie Saint, two, who was born exactly nine months after England beat Colombia on penalties, and one-year-old Piper Rose.
    They met in 2011, when Harry had graduated to Sheffield United’s first team.
    Fern Hawkins, 26, has two daughters with fiancé Harry MaguireCredit: Instagram @_fernhawkins
    Fern, 26, has a degree in science and physiotherapy.
    The pair met in 2011, when Harry graduated to Sheffield United’s first teamCredit: Getty
    MEGAN DAVISON
    GOALIE Jordan Pickford, 27, and Megan started dating when they were both 14.
    The university graduate cheered the hero goalie on from the stands in Russia.
    Megan Davison started dating Jordan Pickford when they were both 14Credit: The Mega Agency
    Soon after the England squad returned, the couple announced their engagement. But there was no multi-million pound do.
    They got hitched in March 2020 at a register office in Crewe and the groom wore ripped jeans and a baseball cap.
    They planned to celebrate in the Maldives but have had to postpone due to Covid.
    They now live in a five-bed home worth £2.1million in Cheshire with their two-year-old son Arlo.
    They got hitched in March 2020 and now live in a five-bed home worth £2.1million in Cheshire with their sonCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    JENA FRUMES
    AMERICAN actress Jena dumped Jesse Lingard, 28, before the World Cup.
    She had met the now West Ham ace at a party in Los Angeles in 2016, but dropped him 15 months later, shortly after it was claimed he had a steamy hot-tub romp with a single mum.
    Jena Frumes, 27, dumped Jesse Lingard just before the World Cup and is pregnant from Jason DeruloCredit: PA
    Jena, 27, is now expecting a baby boy with American pop star Jason Derulo.
    The England midfielder revealed in December 2019 that he had a one-year-old daughter, Hope, from a short relationship with fitness trainer Rebecca Halliday.
    She dropped Jesse 15 months into their relationshipCredit: Getty
    KATIE GOODLAND
    THE romance between fitness instructor Katie and England captain Harry Kane, 27, could not get any cuter.
    The pair started dating while at school, and Harry popped the question in 2017.
    Katie Goodland and England captain Harry Kane, 27, have two kids togetherCredit: Getty – Contributor
    They married in June 2019 with the Tottenham Hotspur striker posting: “Finally got to marry my Best Friend! I love you.”
    Katie gave birth to their first daughter, Ivy, in 2017.
    She was pregnant with their second girl, Vivienne, during the World Cup, and sent her father to cheer Harry on in the stands instead.
    Their son, Louis, was born in December last year. 
    MILLIE SAVAGE
    THE World Cup spelled disaster for Millie and Manchester City defender  John Stones, 26.
    In the months after England’s heroics, the ace ended their relationship.
    Millie Savage and John Stones broke up as ‘fame got too much for him’ she revealedCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
    Millie later told how he had said he was no longer in love.
    Millie, who met John when she was 14 and shares a four-year-old daughter with the ace, revealed he had started partying more after the tournament.
    She said: “Fame got too much for him when he went to City then the World Cup.”
    Weeks after their split, Millie received a message on Instagram from a mystery sender telling her the £100,000-a-week defender had started dating beautician Olivia Naylor. 
    ANNABEL PEYTON
    CRYSTAL Palace keeper Jack Butland, 28, and fiancée Annabel have two sons, George, two, and two-month-old Freddie. 
    Jack, then with Stoke, was flown over to Russia as a back-up goalie, while his air hostess girlfriend was more than happy to party into the early hours with the other wags. 
    Annabel Peyton and Jack Butland are engaged and have two sons, George and FreddieCredit: Instagram
    He popped the question in Italy just ahead of the tournament, in May 2018, and posted a picture on Instagram with the caption: “Mrs B to be.”
    The couple had planned a big family get-together to celebrate George’s first birthday in April 2020, but had to cancel due to the pandemic.
    GEMMA ACTON
    GEMMA married Crystal Palace’s Gary Cahill, 35, in 2013 at Brookfield Manor in Derbyshire, near to where they grew up. 
    The pair, who met at school, have two children, Freya, 11, and eight-year-old Leo. 
    Gemma Acton and Gary Cahill have two kids but like to stay out of the limelightCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Gary only made one appearance during the World Cup, when England lost 1-0 to Belgium.
    When he was playing for Chelsea in 2019, the couple kitted out their children in the team’s strip as they joined Gary for a lap at Stamford Bridge after the final home game of the season. 
    Unlike some other footie families, the Cahills tend to stay out of the limelight.
    He last posted an Instagram snap of Gemma in 2015.
    ANNIE KILNER
    MAN City ace Kyle Walker and Annie have three kids together. Their 12-year relationship has been more turbulent than most.
    In March 2019 Annie kicked the footballer out after reports he had romped with Ex On The Beach star Laura Brown.
    Annie Kilner and Kyle Walker have three kids together and are thought to still be together despite cheating scandalsCredit: BackGrid
    They were working on their relationship when, a few months later he bedded reality star Lauryn Goodman, who became pregnant.
    She gave birth to his son in April last year.
    Annie, 27, eventually forgave Kyle and he proposed with a £250,000 ring.
    In October she was spotted without the sparkler, but they are thought to still be together.
    SHANNON HORLOCK
    SHANNON was used to a football lifestyle before she met Burnley keeper Nick Pope in 2013.
    Her dad is former Manchester City player and Northern Ireland international Kevin Horlock.
    Shannon Horlock and Nick Pope are thought to have had a child in 2019
    Nick was a 65th-minute substitute as England beat Costa Rica 2-0 in the World Cup’s pre-tournament friendly.
    On the couple’s three-year anniversary, Shannon posted on Facebook: “You make me feel happy, proud and loved every single day.”
    Nick, 29, and Shannon prefer not to share much of their private life online, but it is thought they had a child in 2019.
    RUBY MAE
    THE lingerie model began dating Spurs ace Dele, 25, in 2016.
    During the World Cup Ruby shared a loving picture of the pair relaxing after England’s victory over Colombia.
    Ruby Mae spent lockdown with Dele Alli but the pair split just before Valentine’s Day this yearCredit: INSTAGRAM/RUBE MAE
    The pair split the following February and Dele was rumoured to have dated Love Island’s Megan Barton Hanson before reuniting with Ruby.
    They spent lockdown together at his £2million mansion in Elstree, Herts, but split just before Valentine’s Day this year.  
    A source told The Sun that they had been having heated rows and Ruby was “incensed” at Dele’s behaviour, including “spending too much time playing Fortnite”.
    Last week we showed exclusive pictures of Dele snogging the 20-year-old daughter of Man City boss Pep Guardiola.
    A source told The Sun that Ruby thought Dele was ‘spending too much time playing Fortnite’Credit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
    PAIGE MILIAN
    PAIGE and Raheem Sterling got engaged before the World Cup.
    They were set to marry last year, but the pandemic scuppered their plans.
    Paige Milian got engaged to Raheem Sterling but their wedding plans fell through during the pandemicCredit: Instagram

    The winger and Paige met as teens, when he was playing for Queen’s Park Rangers and she was working at JD Sports. They moved in together when Raheem was signed for Liverpool in 2012.
    They now live in a £3.5million Cheshire mansion with their two sons, Thiago, four, and Thai-Cruz, one. The Man City ace also has a daughter, Melody Rose, from a ­previous relationship.
    He proposed to Paige, who runs Milian Property Group, in 2018. She often shares snaps of their boys with her 78,000 Instagram followers.
    The pair now live in a £3.5million Cheshire mansionCredit: Rex
    Marcus Rashford splits from childhood sweetheart girlfriend of eight years after lockdown strain More

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    Ian Wright sobs as he recalls cruel childhood abuse and how his mum wished she’d aborted him – but he still ‘adores’ her

    “I remember him having her up against that wall,” recalls an emotional Ian Wright as he relives the horror of watching his mum being throttled by his violent stepdad when he was just nine years old.Former football hero Ian, 57, sobs as he returns to his single-room childhood home in South London for the first time in almost 50 years in a bid to heal the lasting scars which saw him and his mother suffer horrendous violence at the hands of his twisted and cruel stepfather.
    Footballer Ian Wright has opened up about his abusive childhood in a new BBC documentaryCredit: BBC
    Stephen suffered violence at the hands of his cruel stepfather and still suffers from flashbacks todayCredit: BBC
    Tearfully, he adds, “He grabbed my mum by the neck and she was so small. It just made me feel so helpless. She was trying to say sorry while he had his hand around her throat.
    “When I was going to bed I just could not get the memory (out) of how helpless, she was.”
    Fifty years on and Ian still frequently has “vivid” flashbacks to the violence that left him “anxious and scared” every day of his childhood.
    But it wasn’t his stepdad’s brutality that cut the deepest – Ian’s mum abused him in turn, physically hitting him before cruelly telling him she hated him and wished she’d had him terminated.
    In Home Truths, Ian returns to his childhood home for the first time in a bid to move onCredit: BBC
    New documentary Ian Wright: Home Truths sees married dad-of-eight Ian admit that his can’t stop getting “dragged back to some very negative and horrible feelings” which often ruins family occasions for everyone because he can’t stop worrying his now “perfect and wonderful” life is about to crumble.
    In the BBC One documentary he visits his old home, opens up to a psychologist and talks about the abuse with his older brother, Maurice, for the first time since they’ve grown up, in a bid to finally forgive his mum and move on for the sake of his own kids.
    Ian (centre) wants to face his childhood memories for the sake of his eight childrenCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Tragic memories
    Returning to Merritt Road in Brockley, South London, for the first time since 1973, Ian is overwhelmed by memories.
    He tells the cameras: “We shared a house with another family and me, Maurice, my mum and stepdad, all lived together in one room.”
    Ian describes the room’s layout but can’t stop fixating on the wallpaper.
    He explains: “There was this orangey wallpaper with funny kind of patterns on it. All I remember is being afraid to turn around, you know, a lot of shouting.
    “I mean, a lot of thuddy noise, a lot of grabby stuff going on here. I literally can’t see past the wallpaper. Can’t see past it.”
    There was mental cruelty too.
    Ian went on to become a football hero – but his stepdad wouldn’t let him watch Match of the DayCredit: PA:Press Association
    Ian’s stepdad knew he liked Match Of The Day but would make him face the wall when it came on.
    Ian said: “To listen to the music and hear Match Of The Day is on – it’s torture. Just cruel.”
    However, it was the abuse meted out by Ian’s own mother that left the deepest scars.
    Ian reveals his conflicted relationship with his mother (left)Credit: PA:Press Association
    He said: “She regularly beat me but it was the thing she said, that really hurt. It was at this house when my mum told me about termination.
    “She didn’t just say the word. She said: ‘I wish I had terminated you.’ She said it a few times to me. I knew what it meant.
    “When you’re hearing that at eight/nine years old that’s going to cause you a problem when you get older.”
    Sitting against the wall where he used to sleep, he says: “This wall doesn’t realise what it’s done in my life.
    Ian was deeply scarred by the abuse meted out by his mother, who said she wished she had terminated himCredit: PA
    “I’m actually making sure my back’s towards it, because there’s no love here, that’s for sure.”
    Ian even fantasised that his real parents would rescue him one day.
    He revealed: “When I was young I used to think, Am I with the wrong parents?’
    “Because my mum always spoke about how much she disliked me, I genuinely used to think one day someone’s going to knock the door and say, ‘Can we have our son back please?’”
    Brotherly love
    Ian’s elder brother escaped most of his stepfather’s wrath and did what he could to protect his young sibling.
    “Despite remaining close they have never talked about the abuse since and for the first time Maurice confirms Ian’s recollection of his stepdad was “giving her a hiding” while he covered his brother’s ears as they tried to sleep.
    Maurice is shocked by how much Ian saw, but Ian dreads to think how he would have survived without his big brother.
    He tells Maurice: “What you meant to me at that time, I can’t even put into words. You did it bro. Love you man.”
    Ian has faced his traumatic childhood for the sake of his own children and wife Nancy HallamCredit: Getty
    Shocking statistics reveal that one in five children will have witnessed domestic abuse by the age of 16.
    In the UK last year 1.6 million women were victims of domestic abuse and in 90 per cent of cases a child was present.
    Ian meets others who have witnessed and suffered through domestic abuse in their childhood and finds some comfort that he’s not alone.
    He says: “I’m totally knocked sideways to find out it’s not our fault. You know, we are victims.”
    He also makes a big revelation that he still loves his mum and struggles with internal conflict raging within him.
    He says: “I absolutely adore and love her. And then there’s times when I totally hated her. It’s so complex.”
    Ian now has his own family and eight childrenCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    ‘I am slowly forgiving her’
    Finally, a psychologist helps Ian make a breakthrough.
    Dr Nuria Gene-Cos, Consultant, psychiatrist and trauma specialist for adults at Maudsley Hospital in London, listens to Ian’s story before telling him “that’s the trauma reaction”.
    She adds: “The worst betrayal in your life is your mother and your parents”.
    When Ian describes the words his mother said to him, Dr Nuria defines it as “severe emotional abuse” but tells him he’s not trapped any longer.
    When he confesses that the anger inside of him comes from when he was nine and just wanted a hug or “tactile love” she tells him “you can’t let a child run your life” and that he is no longer trapped.
    Afterwards, visibly lighter and on the road to forgiveness, Ian says: “That’s going to be a massive breakthrough for me.”
    Ian’s stepfather left home when he was a teenager but maintains a relationship with his mum who has been “too ill” to take part in his film.
    Ian later became a football hero and played for ArsenalCredit: Getty
    To understand why his mum turned her pain onto him, Ian meets Naomi who admits that she used to hit her own daughter after being a victim of domestic abuse herself.
    Listening to her story, Ian’s compassion for her and his mum is evident.
    As a father-of-eight, Ian knows he needs to make peace with his mum for the sake of his own family.
    Ian says: “There were times when she would just start crying when we were younger and there is obviously some pain in there.
    “I’m slowly and surely forgiving her, simply because I have to accept that whatever her journey was, she hasn’t been able to deal with that like I’ve been able to deal with it but now it’s getting easier.
    A psychologist has helped Ian make a breakthroughCredit: Getty
    “I can forgive, because I have to move on for my own kids. I’ve got to try and make sure they are OK”.
    Ian might be able to forgive his mum now but it’s taken almost half a century and ruined his happiness and, that of others around him.
    Wife Nancy tells him honestly that he is impacting Christmases and birthdays saying: “You’ve got to somehow make things not go well because you can’t always be happy. Because you’re used to things not being happy.”
    But it’s not just Ian’s kids that he wants to shine a light on domestic abuse for – it’s for the one million kids living with domestic abuse in the UK.

    He says: “One million kids, that has to change.
    “If I could talk to that 9-year-old me, the one what was scared and lonely, I would say you can get through this, you are strong and you are worth something.
    “Abuse creates a vicious cycle and it’s up to all of us to stop it.”
    Ian Wright: Home Truths is on BBC1, Thursday May 6 at 9pm.
    Emotional Ian Wright says David Rocastle would be ‘turning in his grave’ after Arsenal join European Super League More

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    Marcus Rashford had never peeled a carrot… and now he’s on a mission to get every kid cooking, says chef Tom Kerridge

    TOP chef Tom Kerridge learned to cook aged 11, making meals for his younger brother while his single mum worked two jobs to ensure her boys had enough to eat.It was a childhood that echoed that of footballer and child poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford, whose mum Melanie worked gruelling minimum-wage shifts to feed her five kids.
    England ace Marcus Rashford has admitted he has never peeled a carrot, but now he has plans to teach all kids to cook meals that cost pennies
    Now the two men have come together to teach the country’s poorest children how to cook simple yet healthy meals, with ingredients that cost pennies.
    The idea was born when 23-year-old Manchester United and England striker Marcus revealed he had never learned to cook — and had no idea where to start in the kitchen.
    Michelin-star chef Tom, 47, dad to five-year-old son Acer, told The Sun: “Marcus freely admitted, ‘I don’t know how to cook and I want to be able to do it’.
    “That’s what makes him such an incredible young man, he’s not embarrassed about having a go and he’s not embarrassed to say he doesn’t know something.
    TOP chef Tom Kerridge will be teaching Marcus how to get going in the kitchen — with families across the country following along too
    “He’s somebody that wants to learn and he pays attention.”
    Tom will be teaching Marcus how to get going in the kitchen — with families across the country following along too — in their new campaign Full Time Meals: Get Cooking With Marcus And Tom.
    As part of the initiative they will release weekly recipe tutorials on Instagram, starting with a simple chicken satay dish this Sunday.
    Marcus has been a tireless campaigner on child food poverty, raising £20million to feed kids during the Covid pandemic and successfully lobbying the Government to reverse a decision not to provide free school meals during the summer holidays.
    The children he campaigns for are kids just like him and Tom were.
    Marcus has said he often went to bed hungry as a childCredit: Refer to Caption
    After Tom’s parents divorced when he was 11, his mum Jackie supplemented the income she earned as a secretary by washing up in a pub at night.
    Tom says: “As a child you don’t recognise the sort of issues that your mum faces.
    “Not once did we go hungry. Not once did we ever feel unloved or feel we missed out on anything.
    “But looking back now, as a parent myself, I understand how difficult it must have been for my mum.
    The idea of teaching kids was born when 23-year-old Manchester United striker Marcus revealed he had never learned to cook — and had no idea where to start in the kitchenCredit: PA
    “Working two jobs to make sure we could just have pasta or bread in the house was such a big thing.
    “At 11, none of it sinks in and you just get on with it, but as a grown-up, and having conversations with Mum about this project, the truth of her struggle rings very true.”
    One in three UK children live in poverty, with an estimated 2.5million in food-insecure households, meaning they can’t afford sufficients amounts to eat, according to latest figures.
    Food bank charity The Trussell Trust yesterday revealed it had handed out 2.5million food parcels since March last year — a rise of 33 per cent on 2019.
    Tom will be teaching Marcus how to get going in the kitchen — with families following along too — in their new campaign Full Time Meals: Get Cooking With Marcus And Tom
    It is a story all too familiar to Marcus, who has movingly recalled the many times he went to bed hungry.
    Tom says: “I’m twice Marcus’s age but we have similar backgrounds, growing up with single mums who were out working in the evening.
    “Both myself and Marcus find ourselves in an incredibly fortunate position now.
    “But that’s why we wanted to use Marcus’s reach and understanding and my skill set to touch as many people as we can.
    “While Marcus went out kicking a football, when I got home from school I cooked my brother Sam’s tea.
    Top chef Tom Kerridge learned to cook aged 11, making meals for his younger brother while his single mum worked two jobs to ensure her boys had enough to eat
    “So we learned different skill sets from similar childhood experiences and had the same sort of understanding of the issues facing families. We gelled really well, he is a truly remarkable young man.”
    The pair’s plan is to show struggling families the best way to use the Government’s new Healthy Start vouchers — which provide parents of preschool children with £4.25 per week to buy fruit, vegetables and pulses.
    Their recipes feature ingredients that can be bought with the vouchers — including frozen and tinned vegetables, as well as fresh — and common tinned goods handed out at food banks.
    Tom as a youngster
    Quantities are measured with a mug, in case a measuring jug is not available, and most of the dishes can be made with one pan, a knife and a kettle or microwave. Tom adds: “We want to destigmatise the whole issue of cooking and make it really fun and engaging.
    “We want every child to have a go at cooking, irrespective of background. If you’re in a class of 35 kids and half of them get free school meals, we want all of them to say, ‘This recipe looks great, Marcus has had a go at cooking it and Tom’s made the recipe simple and easy to follow’.”
    Tom, from Gloucester, adds that Marcus, who is dating childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, 23, threw himself into the cooking lessons and proved to be a natural.
    He says: “Marcus had never peeled a carrot but his knife skills are immaculate. He chopped the carrots beautifully the first time we did the satay dish, he’s got a natural talent as a chef.
    Marcus has been a tireless campaigner on child food poverty, raising £20million to feed kids during the Covid pandemicCredit: PA
    “We’ve been doing lessons, mostly on Zoom, for three months and Marcus has been cooking more and more at home for his housemates.
    “I think he’s trying to win brownie points with his girlfriend, too.”
    Speaking of his own early cooking efforts, Tom, who is married to sculptor Beth Cullen-Kerridge, 51, said: “I grew up as a child of the 80s, so I cooked Birds Eye potato waffles, Findus crispy pancakes and fish fingers.
    “I did learn to make spaghetti bolognese and I would have a go at rice dishes.
    Tom says: ‘As a child you don’t recognise the sort of issues that your mum faces’Credit: Rex
    “But for an 11-year-old, just turning on a grill and making fish fingers is still cooking and that’s a skill set many people don’t have.”
    ‘Recipes designed to take fear away’
    Tom and Marcus’s mission is to encourage families to try out new dishes.
    Tom says: “People live in fear of the kitchen, they’re uncomfortable with it and they don’t know if something’s cooked or not. They worry about cooking instructions.
    “But our recipes are designed to take away all that fear so you can just put it in the oven, cook it until it’s hot and trust your self-instinct.
    “I’m trying to teach a basic skill set. Normally, when I write cookbooks or cook on television, I’m connecting with a foodie audience, so it’s like someone who already cycles on a good bike getting tips from Bradley Wiggins.
    Marcus and Tom plan to show struggling families the best way to use the Government’s new £4.25 Healthy Start vouchersCredit: Getty – Contributor
    “What we’re doing here is teaching people how to get on that bike with stabilisers, starting from the beginning — how to peel a carrot, how to boil vegetables.
    “It’s really basic stuff using ingredients like frozen vegetables and tinned potatoes — store-cupboard, budget-friendly, essential ingredients to help create a dish.”
    As well as the weekly Instagram posts, with 52 recipes across the year, recipe cards of Tom’s dishes will be available at food banks.
    Tom says: “Child poverty is a much bigger picture and there’s so much more we can do. But that’s for people above my paygrade.
    Get Cooking With Marcus And Tom tutorials will be posted weekly from Sunday on Instagram feed @fulltimemeals

    “I’m a chef and I’m just trying to use my skill set to help people who, through no fault of their own, find money really hard to come by.
    “It’s that old adage of give someone a fish and they will eat for a day. Teach them to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.”

    Get Cooking With Marcus And Tom tutorials will be posted weekly from Sunday on Instagram feed @fulltimemeals.

    TOM’S TIPS TO COOK ON A BUDGETTHE recipes in the Full Time Meals campaign use fresh, tinned and frozen ingredients to suit the tightest of budgets.
    The tutorials will be available each Sunday on Instagram, but in the meantime Tom gives Sun readers a few tips on how to start cooking from scratch.
    PULSES
    HEALTHY Start vouchers can be used for pulses and grains, so tins of pre-cooked lentils and chickpeas are great, or you can buy the dry kind that you just need to soak overnight.
    FRESH OR FROZEN
    THESE recipes will be a great way of getting vegetables into kids’ diets. And although they call for fresh veg, they also use a lot of frozen vegetables because that way you’re only taking out exactly what you need each time – making it as budget-friendly as possible.
    So, frozen peas, mixed grilled Mediterranean vegetables or frozen spinach are great ingredients.
    Frozen protein, such as fish and chicken pieces, also make great ingredients at a lower price – and we use those a lot.
    TINS
    STORE cupboard tins, such as tinned new potatoes and soups, form the basis of many of our dishes.
    Soups can be used as a tasty pie sauce or pie filling. One dish we may do is a simple leek and potato pie, which is a leek and potato soup, mixed in with tinned potatoes and a freshly chopped leek with filo pastry over the top.
    EQUIPMENT
    ALL you need to cook many or these dishes is a pan, a knife for chopping and a mug for measuring.
    Usually recipes ask for 150g of this and 200ml of that, but we use a mug so you don’t need a measuring jug or scales.
    We even make a Yorkshire pudding batter using just the volume of a normal mug.
    Also, many of our dishes can be cooked in one pan because many people only own one pan – and it helps with the washing up!
    TOM’S FAVOURITE BUDGET MEAL
    FOR a quick, easy and budget-friendly meal, my go-to is what we call a “fridge-trimming omelette”.
    If there’s not much in the house but we have a few tomatoes, a couple of mushrooms and a bit of leftover ham, or leftover veg, I chop it all together, whisk it with a couple of eggs, bake it in one pan and serve it in the middle of the table.
    My little man is only five but already he loves whisking the eggs and making an omelette.

    Marcus Rashford’s old friend hails his free school meals campaign as her family still benefits More

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    From Roy Keane to Paul Scholes — these footballers are the spitting image of paintings

    WHAT a match! Comedian Olaf Falafel has paired football figures with lookalike paintings — and we thought it was too good an idea to pass up on.
    Roy Keane is the spitting image of Gentleman in a Fur by Paolo Veronese
    The winning doubles — including player-turned-pundit Roy Keane — would be at home in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
    But can you tell a Manet from a Mane or a Caravaggio from a Baggio?
    Thomas Tuchel’s lookalike is Elena Povolozky by Amedeo Modigliani
    Roy Hodgson looks just like J.M. Vogelsang by Ferdinand Oldewelt
    Marouane Fellaini appears to be channeling Pablo Picasso’s Face of Woman
    Pep Guardiola has the exact same pose as Head of Man by Hermann Struck
    Paul Scholes is paired up with Paul Gauguin’s Beautiful Angel
    Kenny Dalglish looks just like Gardener John Wells, by an unknown artist
    Mick McCarthy is a clear double for Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait

    Micah Richards winds up BOTH Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp over their previous row in hilarious behind-the-scenes clip More

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    Footie-mad dad finally completes his £10k sticker collection after scoring rare England badge

    A FOOTIE-mad dad has finally got his huge sticker album collection up to date — with a 1998 World Cup England badge.Simon Livermore, 45, paid £11.41 in an online bidding war for the elusive crest.
    Simon Livermore has finally got his huge sticker album collection up to dateCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
    He has now completed every World Cup and Euros album produced by Panini since 1974.
    And he is already busy filling in his Euro 2020 sticker album.
    Brighton and Hove Albion fan Simon said: “Half the fun is the hunt. I’ve needed two for France 98 for absolutely forever but the badges, the foils, are particularly hard to come across.
    “I was always led to believe there was equal numbers printed, But I swear it’s not the case.”
    The project manager caught the collecting bug with the Mexico 86 World Cup album.
    Over the years he has spent up to £10,000 on packs of stickers, selling swaps online to fund his habit and buying missing stickers from Europe, Egypt and the US.
    The footie-mad dad has spent over £10,000 on roughly 23,000 stickersCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
    His extensive collection was finally completed when he scored a 1998 England cardCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
    Simon paid £11.41 in an online bidding war for the elusive crestCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
    The most expensive sticker Simon sold was a rare Diego Maradona from 1982Credit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
    Simon caught the collecting bug with Panini’s Mexico ’86 albumCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
    The most expensive sticker he sold was a rare Diego Maradona from 1982 — which went to an American collector for £90.
    And Simon reckons he could wallpaper his spare room with Bulgarian swaps from Euro 96.
    It’s the childlike feeling of just opening a pack that’s kept me going. Simon Livermore
    As well as stickers, he also buys old books online then re-pastes what he needs into his albums.
    Simon, who has a daughter aged 25, reckoned: “It’s the childlike feeling of just opening a pack that’s kept me going.
    “The haircuts are some of the best bits. They remind me of my childhood.”
    Simon says ‘half the fun is the hunt’Credit: Paul Edwards / The Sun

    He also has Panini albums for the English top flight from 1978 to 1990 and the past two seasons.
    He refuses to buy albums produced by Merlin in the 1990s and 2000s as he says they are not as good.
    He said: “The feeling of opening a pack and getting your favourite player just won’t ever get old.”
    Panini land official Premier League sticker album for first time More

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    How soccer ace Frank Worthington bedded a different woman every night – but had no regrets

    FORMER England striker Frank Worthington was a legend for strutting his stuff at clubs across the land and satisfying adoring fans with his keepy-uppy.The question always lingered, though, how much of a star Frank would have been if he’d reserved those skills for the football pitch.
    Ladies man Frank Worthington has died aged 72Credit: Mirrorpix
    The former striker, pictured with George Best and Alex Higgins, was known as ‘the working man’s Best’Credit: Raymonds Press Agency
    The cult hero passed away after a long battle with dementia
    For this mercurial talent, who has died at the age of 72, was just as well known for his inexhaustible exploits in the bedroom and on the dancefloor as his prowess in front of goal.
    He boasted of sleeping with a different woman every night, bedding a teenager followed by her mother and dating a string of beauties.
    They included Miss World Mary Stavin, Miss Barbados Lindy Field, Profumo Affair model Mandy Rice-Davies, his first wife Birgitta who won Miss Sweden and his second spouse Carol Dwyer, who had been a Page 3 Girl.
    And when he was asked to name his ‘previous clubs’ he answered: “The Playboy, Tramps and Sandpiper.”
    A flamboyant maverick, who sported flowing long hair, a manicured moustache, medallion and John Travolta flares, Frank’s passion for the high life cost him his chance to reach the very top.
    A record breaking deal to sign for Liverpool in 1972 fell through because two weeks of sex and partying left him with high blood pressure.
    While his England caps ended at just eight after manager Don Revie discovered Frank had ignored a strict curfew by going out drinking and gambling at a casino.
    BORN TO PLAY THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
    Frank, who played for 24 clubs including Leicester City and Leeds United, also confessed to taking cocaine and nearly drove a car off a cliff in Spain.
    Extravagant spending, including buying a Ford Mustang and drinking champagne at breakfast, left him bankrupt when he couldn’t pay the taxman.
    Frank played for 24 clubs including Leicester City and Leeds UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association
    But he wouldn’t have changed anything.
    Frank said: “Yeah, I was a bit of a rascal. I loved football and the ladies and I was not prepared to give up either. Why should I? I never have regrets. I did all right for myself, thanks very much.”
    A naturally gifted attacker, Frank was born to play the beautiful game.
    The West Yorkshireman, from the village of Shelf near Bradford, was the son of two football players, with his dad Eric turning out for Halifax Town and mum Alice for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.
    He quickly made a big impression at his first club Huddersfield Town, scoring 41 goals in 171 appearances.
    I loved football and the ladies and I was not prepared to give up either. Why should I?Frank Worthington
    Huddersfield were not exactly a glamour club, but that didn’t stop Frank becoming a major attraction.
    Shortly after leaving the club in 1972 he boasted: “I was pulling girls every night. Sometimes I’d wonder if they were with me because I was Frank Worthington, the footballer, or if they genuinely fancied me as a bloke.
    “But I soon realised this didn’t matter a damn.”
    He kept a flat in Leeds so the club did not know about his “nocturnal activities” or that he was “abusing my body” by staying out late.
    Frank was a notorious ladies man until he eventually settled down with his second wife Carol DwyerCredit: Mirrorpix
    The Elvis fan, seen rocking out with TV’s Grumbleweeds, tried to keep his ‘nocturnal activities’ secretCredit: Getty
    Frank’s ability to juggle the ball on the pitch and go past defenders at will persuaded Liverpool manager Bill Shankly to offer a then £150,000 club record to sign him.
    Having put pen to paper, Frank failed two medicals.
    There were rumours that he had a sexually transmitted disease, but the player insisted it was blood pressure due to constant carousing.
    Before the second medical, Shankly sent Frank off on holiday to relax.
    Instead the player seduced a young woman on the aeroplane and went on a two week bender with her.
    With Liverpool out of the picture, Frank signed for Leicester City instead, scoring 72 goals in 210 games for the Midlands side.
    Ex-Leicester and England star Gary Lineker described him last night as “my boyhood hero” and a “wonderful character”.
    In 1973 Frank married his first wife Birgitta, who had already given birth to his son Frank Junior.
    Displaying some eye-raising parental priorities he said he wanted to teach Frank Junior “all the tricks” so he could be “the greatest Casanova of all time”.
    Frank also had a daughter, Kim-Malou, with Birgitta but parenthood did not slow him down.
    Touching tributes
    LEGENDS of the game, footie experts and celebrity fans paid tribute to Frank on social media.
    “Profoundly saddened to hear Frank Worthington has died. He was my boyhood hero when he was at LCFC. A beautiful footballer, maverick and wonderful character who was so kind to this young apprentice.” Gary Lineker
    “What a character, and one of the most talented footballers I played with.” Ally McCoist
    “What a character & what a player! Very sad news.” Tony Cottee
    “A great player, entertainer and character, even at 9 we had to go just to see him play. Rest in peace, Elvis.” Stan Collymore
    “A true showman and great footballer but even better bloke.”John Fashanu
    “Absolute luxury. RIP Frank Worthington, one of the greats.”Paddy McGuinness
    “One of the great entertainers, scorer of one of the greatest ever goals.” Sky Sports’ Gary Taphouse
    “What a player, got fans off their seats, a great entertainer.” TalkSport’s Ian Abrahams

    Frank boasted of sleeping with Miss World Mary Stavin, Miss Barbados Lindy Field, Profumo Affair model Mandy Rice-Davies and his first wife Birgitta, who won Miss Sweden (pictured)Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    He later confessed: “In my Leicester days, it wasn’t a night out unless you were in at six in the morning after a visit to the Playboy Club.”
    Around 1978 the marriage broke down, giving Frank the freedom to play the field even more.
    In his autobiography One Hump or Two?, which certainly wasn’t a reference to camels, he wrote extensively about his sexual exploits.
    Describing meeting a Belgian brunette in Magaluf, he wrote: “It was appropriate that she came from Knokke, because you should have seen her Knokke-ers when I got them out back at my villa.”
    Never shy about discussing his pulling prowess, he also told a journalist what happened after bedding a teenager in Sweden.
    He said: “Next morning, after the girl had got up early for work, her ‘muzzer’ woke me up with a cup of tea. She was young and attractive, so what was a man supposed to do?”
    ‘I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIT OF A PEACOCK’
    Great pals with the late George Best he lived with Lindy, the sister of the Manchester United star’s first wife Angie.
    But Frank – described as “the working man’s George Best” by the late Bolton manager, Ian Greaves – reckoned he was even more of a womaniser than the Belfast ladies’ man.
    He said: “This is where I differ from George Best. He wants everyone to love him. I just wanted every girl to go to bed with me.”
    Frank was famed for his ability to juggle the ball on the pitchCredit: George Herringshaw
    He won the Golden Boot title in 1979 for the 24 goals he scored for Bolton Wanderers
    He played until he was aged 43, running out for over 20 clubs here and in the USCredit: Getty
    Many England fans wondered why Frank, whose majestic skills were compared to Best, didn’t play more for his country.
    Frank thought it was because his unconventional approach upset the national side’s bosses.
    Sir Alf Ramsey swore when he turned up to fly with the England team wearing cowboy boots, a velvet jacket and silk shirt.
    Frank, who reckoned he was ‘the first man in Britain to own a tank top’, said: “I suppose I have always been a bit of a peacock.”
    Best wants everyone to love him. I just wanted every girl to go to bed with me.Frank Worthington
    He also upset England’s caretaker manager Joe Mercer by sneaking a girl up to his hotel room after a game.
    Tough guy boss Revie wasn’t so forgiving when Frank ignored his clear instructions not to go out.
    Slipping out the hotel through a side door with a few other England players they visited a casino.
    Gambling was a major part of football back in those days and one marathon card game in 1974 went on until 9am in the morning after England beat Bulgaria.
    Newcastle United striker Malcolm Macdonald ended up losing £1,200 to Frank. Living close to the edge was what Frank was used to.
    He once recalled: “On one trip to Spain, I was driving a car with three other players and ended up crashing it and almost going over the end of a cliff.
    “When we walked back the next day, there was the car balancing on the edge of a big drop.”
    The football legend spoke extensively about his sexual exploits in his autobiography One Hump or Two?
    That wild behaviour went too far when Frank was playing for Birmingham City between 1979 and 1982.
    He confessed to smoking cannabis and snorting cocaine through a bank note. It was, he admitted, a mistake.
    Elvis fan Frank said: “I don’t see any harm in trying things out, but drug taking is certainly not something I would recommend to anyone.”
    Around that time he declared bankruptcy because he couldn’t pay off tax bills of £36,000.
    Gradually, though, he started to calm down and after he married second wife Carol in 1986 he was content to be in bed by 10pm.
    Despite failing that Liverpool medical Frank played until he was aged 43, running out for over 20 clubs here and in the US, before finally hanging up his boots in 1992.
    The only silverware he picked up during that long career was the old Division Two title with Huddersfield Town.
    Frank also won the Golden Boot title in 1979 for the 24 goals he scored for Bolton Wanderers in the top division.
    But he had to sell that precious memory in 2005 to fund his retirement.
    Frank’s wife says ‘he brought joy to so many people throughout his career and in his private life’Credit: Reuters

    Frank’s cause of death has not been announced. His daughter claimed in 2016 that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s due to heading the ball during his playing days. But Frank denied suffering from the brain disease.
    After his death his wife Carol said in a statement: “Frank brought joy to so many people throughout his career and in his private life.
    “He will be greatly missed by everyone who loved him so much.”
    Ally McCoist pays tribute Leicester legend Frank Worthington who has died at 72
    GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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    How Frank Worthington’s passion for the high life cost him his chance to reach the very top

    FORMER England striker Frank Worthington was a legend for strutting his stuff at clubs across the land and satisfying adoring fans with his keepy-uppy.The question always lingered, though, how much of a star Frank would have been if he’d reserved those skills for the football pitch.
    Ladies man Frank Worthington has died aged 72Credit: Mirrorpix
    The former striker, pictured with George Best and Alex Higgins, was known as ‘the working man’s Best’Credit: Raymonds Press Agency
    The cult hero passed away after a long battle with dementia
    For this mercurial talent, who has died at the age of 72, was just as well known for his inexhaustible exploits in the bedroom and on the dancefloor as his prowess in front of goal.
    He boasted of sleeping with a different woman every night, bedding a teenager followed by her mother and dating a string of beauties.
    They included Miss World Mary Stavin, Miss Barbados Lindy Field, Profumo Affair model Mandy Rice-Davies, his first wife Birgitta who won Miss Sweden and his second spouse Carol Dwyer, who had been a Page 3 Girl.
    And when he was asked to name his ‘previous clubs’ he answered: “The Playboy, Tramps and Sandpiper.”
    A flamboyant maverick, who sported flowing long hair, a manicured moustache, medallion and John Travolta flares, Frank’s passion for the high life cost him his chance to reach the very top.
    A record breaking deal to sign for Liverpool in 1972 fell through because two weeks of sex and partying left him with high blood pressure.
    While his England caps ended at just eight after manager Don Revie discovered Frank had ignored a strict curfew by going out drinking and gambling at a casino.
    BORN TO PLAY THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
    Frank, who played for 24 clubs including Leicester City and Leeds United, also confessed to taking cocaine and nearly drove a car off a cliff in Spain.
    Extravagant spending, including buying a Ford Mustang and drinking champagne at breakfast, left him bankrupt when he couldn’t pay the taxman.
    Frank played for 24 clubs including Leicester City and Leeds UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association
    But he wouldn’t have changed anything.
    Frank said: “Yeah, I was a bit of a rascal. I loved football and the ladies and I was not prepared to give up either. Why should I? I never have regrets. I did all right for myself, thanks very much.”
    A naturally gifted attacker, Frank was born to play the beautiful game.
    The West Yorkshireman, from the village of Shelf near Bradford, was the son of two football players, with his dad Eric turning out for Halifax Town and mum Alice for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.
    He quickly made a big impression at his first club Huddersfield Town, scoring 41 goals in 171 appearances.
    I loved football and the ladies and I was not prepared to give up either. Why should I?Frank Worthington
    Huddersfield were not exactly a glamour club, but that didn’t stop Frank becoming a major attraction.
    Shortly after leaving the club in 1972 he boasted: “I was pulling girls every night. Sometimes I’d wonder if they were with me because I was Frank Worthington, the footballer, or if they genuinely fancied me as a bloke.
    “But I soon realised this didn’t matter a damn.”
    He kept a flat in Leeds so the club did not know about his “nocturnal activities” or that he was “abusing my body” by staying out late.
    Frank was a notorious ladies man until he eventually settled down with his second wife Carol DwyerCredit: Mirrorpix
    The Elvis fan, seen rocking out with TV’s Grumbleweeds, tried to keep his ‘nocturnal activities’ secretCredit: Getty
    Frank’s ability to juggle the ball on the pitch and go past defenders at will persuaded Liverpool manager Bill Shankly to offer a then £150,000 club record to sign him.
    Having put pen to paper, Frank failed two medicals.
    There were rumours that he had a sexually transmitted disease, but the player insisted it was blood pressure due to constant carousing.
    Before the second medical, Shankly sent Frank off on holiday to relax.
    Instead the player seduced a young woman on the aeroplane and went on a two week bender with her.
    With Liverpool out of the picture, Frank signed for Leicester City instead, scoring 72 goals in 210 games for the Midlands side.
    Ex-Leicester and England star Gary Lineker described him last night as “my boyhood hero” and a “wonderful character”.
    In 1973 Frank married his first wife Birgitta, who had already given birth to his son Frank Junior.
    Displaying some eye-raising parental priorities he said he wanted to teach Frank Junior “all the tricks” so he could be “the greatest Casanova of all time”.
    Frank also had a daughter, Kim-Malou, with Birgitta but parenthood did not slow him down.
    Touching tributes
    LEGENDS of the game, footie experts and celebrity fans paid tribute to Frank on social media.
    “Profoundly saddened to hear Frank Worthington has died. He was my boyhood hero when he was at LCFC. A beautiful footballer, maverick and wonderful character who was so kind to this young apprentice.” Gary Lineker
    “What a character, and one of the most talented footballers I played with.” Ally McCoist
    “What a character & what a player! Very sad news.” Tony Cottee
    “A great player, entertainer and character, even at 9 we had to go just to see him play. Rest in peace, Elvis.” Stan Collymore
    “A true showman and great footballer but even better bloke.”John Fashanu
    “Absolute luxury. RIP Frank Worthington, one of the greats.”Paddy McGuinness
    “One of the great entertainers, scorer of one of the greatest ever goals.” Sky Sports’ Gary Taphouse
    “What a player, got fans off their seats, a great entertainer.” TalkSport’s Ian Abrahams

    Frank boasted of sleeping with Miss World Mary Stavin, Miss Barbados Lindy Field, Profumo Affair model Mandy Rice-Davies and his first wife Birgitta, who won Miss Sweden (pictured)Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    He later confessed: “In my Leicester days, it wasn’t a night out unless you were in at six in the morning after a visit to the Playboy Club.”
    Around 1978 the marriage broke down, giving Frank the freedom to play the field even more.
    In his autobiography One Hump or Two?, which certainly wasn’t a reference to camels, he wrote extensively about his sexual exploits.
    Describing meeting a Belgian brunette in Magaluf, he wrote: “It was appropriate that she came from Knokke, because you should have seen her Knokke-ers when I got them out back at my villa.”
    Never shy about discussing his pulling prowess, he also told a journalist what happened after bedding a teenager in Sweden.
    He said: “Next morning, after the girl had got up early for work, her ‘muzzer’ woke me up with a cup of tea. She was young and attractive, so what was a man supposed to do?”
    ‘I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIT OF A PEACOCK’
    Great pals with the late George Best he lived with Lindy, the sister of the Manchester United star’s first wife Angie.
    But Frank – described as “the working man’s George Best” by the late Bolton manager, Ian Greaves – reckoned he was even more of a womaniser than the Belfast ladies’ man.
    He said: “This is where I differ from George Best. He wants everyone to love him. I just wanted every girl to go to bed with me.”
    Frank was famed for his ability to juggle the ball on the pitchCredit: George Herringshaw
    He won the Golden Boot title in 1979 for the 24 goals he scored for Bolton Wanderers
    He played until he was aged 43, running out for over 20 clubs here and in the USCredit: Getty
    Many England fans wondered why Frank, whose majestic skills were compared to Best, didn’t play more for his country.
    Frank thought it was because his unconventional approach upset the national side’s bosses.
    Sir Alf Ramsey swore when he turned up to fly with the England team wearing cowboy boots, a velvet jacket and silk shirt.
    Frank, who reckoned he was ‘the first man in Britain to own a tank top’, said: “I suppose I have always been a bit of a peacock.”
    Best wants everyone to love him. I just wanted every girl to go to bed with me.Frank Worthington
    He also upset England’s caretaker manager Joe Mercer by sneaking a girl up to his hotel room after a game.
    Tough guy boss Revie wasn’t so forgiving when Frank ignored his clear instructions not to go out.
    Slipping out the hotel through a side door with a few other England players they visited a casino.
    Gambling was a major part of football back in those days and one marathon card game in 1974 went on until 9am in the morning after England beat Bulgaria.
    Newcastle United striker Malcolm Macdonald ended up losing £1,200 to Frank. Living close to the edge was what Frank was used to.
    He once recalled: “On one trip to Spain, I was driving a car with three other players and ended up crashing it and almost going over the end of a cliff.
    “When we walked back the next day, there was the car balancing on the edge of a big drop.”
    The football legend spoke extensively about his sexual exploits in his autobiography One Hump or Two?
    That wild behaviour went too far when Frank was playing for Birmingham City between 1979 and 1982.
    He confessed to smoking cannabis and snorting cocaine through a bank note. It was, he admitted, a mistake.
    Elvis fan Frank said: “I don’t see any harm in trying things out, but drug taking is certainly not something I would recommend to anyone.”
    Around that time he declared bankruptcy because he couldn’t pay off tax bills of £36,000.
    Gradually, though, he started to calm down and after he married second wife Carol in 1986 he was content to be in bed by 10pm.
    Despite failing that Liverpool medical Frank played until he was aged 43, running out for over 20 clubs here and in the US, before finally hanging up his boots in 1992.
    The only silverware he picked up during that long career was the old Division Two title with Huddersfield Town.
    Frank also won the Golden Boot title in 1979 for the 24 goals he scored for Bolton Wanderers in the top division.
    But he had to sell that precious memory in 2005 to fund his retirement.
    Frank’s wife says ‘he brought joy to so many people throughout his career and in his private life’Credit: Reuters

    Frank’s cause of death has not been announced. His daughter claimed in 2016 that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s due to heading the ball during his playing days. But Frank denied suffering from the brain disease.
    After his death his wife Carol said in a statement: “Frank brought joy to so many people throughout his career and in his private life.
    “He will be greatly missed by everyone who loved him so much.”
    Ally McCoist pays tribute Leicester legend Frank Worthington who has died at 72
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