Smiling little girl had Fash in tears

EX-FOOTBALLER John Fashanu has told why his latest TV appearance reduced him to tears.

Gone To Pot is a three-part ITV series that sees a group of five celebs go on a road trip round America looking at marijuana use.

That use is both medicinal and recreational and it was the potential health benefits that struck home to the former England international.

His son suffered from seizures for years, leaving him suffering long-term effects.

“We went to see a girl of about seven or eight who had been having multiple seizures, up to 200 every hour,” said John.

“I know what it has cost me to send my son to America and other countries for treatment.

“And the amount I’ve spent on medical treatment in London has been crazy.

“It’s all been private, so that’s been very difficult.

“So to see this young girl who had gone from hundreds of seizures to not having a single one was remarkable.

“She was using a laptop, smiling and able to communicate because she was being given marijuana. It was incredible and I broke down.

“I’m not happy I broke down on television but, I believe, had I had marijuana available to me my son would not now be 21 but with a mental age that’s a lot less because of the seizures.”

John says the invitation to do the series was a real surprise.

“If you’d have asked me to do this 10 years ago I’d probably have punched someone on the nose as I’ve always thought drugs were taboo.

“And when they first asked I thought they were crazy and I was the wrong person.

“But then I thought that it’d be a chance to learn.” Gone To Pot, ITV, Monday,

9pm.