Kentish Express Ashford & District
Razor vows to tackle weight issues after TV health scare
Ex-footballer promises to change his ways
Former footballer Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has vowed to get back in shape after a health scare while starring on a TV show.
The 50-year-old ex-Liverpool and West Ham defender, who lives in Ashford, struggled to stick to the strict diet regime enforced on Harry’s Heroes: The Full English.
The two-part ITV series saw familiar football faces from the 1990s trying to get in shape for a match against old rivals Germany.
Alongside Razor, the show saw David Seaman, Robbie Fowler, Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier, Chris Waddle, Ray Parlour, Lee Sharpe and Mark Wright all take on the tough challenge of getting back into the Three Lions shirts they wore with pride in their heyday.
The team-mates were managed by former football boss and King of the Jungle Harry Redknapp and his assistant coach, former Liverpool winger John Barnes, who couldn’t play due to an injury.
And the hard work paid off, with many of the players losing weight and getting fitter - which resulted in a 4-2 win over their competitors.
But it appeared Razor - also known for a stint on Celebrity Big Brother and I’m Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! - struggled the most with the diet and training sessions.
A family cruise also proved troublesome, as Razor failed to resist the drink and food while on board.
He only lost one kilo during the 12-week challenge, although Redknapp did reveal Razor lost five stone before the show started.
During episode two, Razor was seen attending a doctor’s appointment alongside wife Leah and told he needs to change his lifestyle or risk a heart attack or stroke.
Posing with a picture of a Creme Egg, Razor took to Twitterlastweektosay:“Notevena small egg for me anymore. I’ve been given my warning, it’s time to hit my weight problems head on.”
He is now vowing to get back in shape.
Razor also thanked former French and Spurs player David Ginola, who appeared on Harry’s Heroes to offer Razor advice following his own heart attack. “Thank you to my good friend @teamginola for his time. A really nice bloke who gave me some great advice on and off camera,” Razor shared on Twitter.
Leah also went on Twitter to say: “I am looking after my husband... he will be losing more weight, healthy eating and regular exercise.”
As well as physical health, the show tackled issues of mental health when ex-Arsenal player Paul Merson broke down and revealed he is suffering with a gambling addiction relapse.
After Merson thanked fans for their support on Twitter, Razor also showed support by posting: “Always here Merse.”
During Harry’s Heroes it was clear boss Redknapp was worried about Razor’s health.
And when Razor appeared on ITV’s This Morning with wife Leah last Friday, he revealed it was thanks to Harry that he went for the check up.
Razor also admitted since appearing on Harry’s Heroes he has actually gained three pounds in weight.
He told presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford: “You think its going to happen to someone else, it’s never going to be you. I went to see a doctor in Harley Street and it was a wake up call really.
“Harry could tell I was in trouble when I was training, he was the one who pushed me to get checked out.”
Razor, who admitted to comfort eating, promised the presenters: “You get me back on in six months and see the difference.”
‘You think it’s going to happen to someone else, it’s never going to be you’