Botham’s caught out with this ‘confession’
SIR Ian Botham has made himself a poster boy for that most delicate of subjects, erectile dysfunction. But – confusingly – the former cricket star says relations with his wife Kathy are just fine. Botham claimed in an interview he’s been having a £3,000 new shockwave treatment, which is available only from a private clinic, for prevention rather than cure.
I approve the celebrity trend for talking about so-called embarrassing ailments. Kate Winslet caused a socialmedia meltdown when she admitted that after three children she had difficulties ‘holding on’ – a problem 40 per cent of mothers will sympathise with. And then there are all the famous balding chaps who have openly had hair transplants – most recently Cold Feet actor John Thompson, possibly emulating his co-star James Nesbitt, who had one years ago.
But I’m not sure how helpful it for Sir Ian to talk about a treatment (which I can’t recommend as it’s not been very well tested) for a problem, then deny he suffers from it. That just fuels the notion of embarrassment and stigma, which is unfair on genuine sufferers.