Robbie and Simon pay BGT pal’s £20k rehab JUDGES AID SHOW’S WARM-UP MAN ROYCEY
SIMON Cowell and Robbie bie Williams have jumped in to help p send The X Factor’s warm-up man n to rehab.
Ian Royce, a regular working ing on the ITV show and Britain’s Got Talent, nt, admits he is battling alcoholism.
The 50-year-old has also suffered uffered a brain aneurysm while he was drunk nk – and he has even tried to kill himself.
Now the man they call Roycey, who entertains audiences before e the shows go out live and during ad breaks, reaks, has a Gofundme appeal page to raise £20,000 for him to attend rehab centre e The Priory.
He posted a video in which h he battles to speak but manages to say: y: “Please, please, please give me some e hope.”
Music mogul Cowell’s people ople have confirmed he will assist the troubled star. And singer Robbie, 45, said: “Mate, te, I’m happy py to pay for f or your rehab, b, consider ider it done. one. We are all rooting ng for you.”
Fellow llow singer Olly Murs, s , 35, also donated ated £ 2,000 to t he Gofundme appeal, eal, which has already dy hit £6,665.
He said: “Roycey, stay strong, my friend. I’ll be seeing you soon.” Messages of support flooded in from other celebrities and fans.
Coronation Street actor Kym Marsh, 43, said: “Ian, I am sending you u so much love. I can’t wait to see you back. You are loved by so many people. Keep on keeping on.”
The Gofundme page, set up by a pal, says: “Ian is an alcoholic and d has taken his first steps by admitting so.” o.”
The Priory has agreed to treat reat him on a 28-day programme that at costs £20,000. He will also need additional dditional treatment for the brain issue. e.
After donations started to flood in, Ian said: “I have a lot of s*** to o get rid of in my head. Happy now thanks to Robbie and all the people that have donated. nated. I have a light, I have hope.”
If you are affected by issues s in this article, call the Samaritans on 08457 7 90 90 90.