Neil Ruddock reveals dramatic weight loss journey and health overhaul on BBC Breakfast

Ex-England star Neil Ruddock has revealed his dramatic weight loss journey on Wednesday's edition of Breakfast.

The 56 year old former defender discussed his new memoir, Toxic: Tackling 'Razor' and Finding the Real Me, where he opens up about his struggle to transform himself after football. In the book, Neil confronts his battles with food addiction, self-esteem issues, and alcohol dependency.

BBC presenter remarked: "You say in the book you are half the man you used to be, that's literally the case!" prompting Neil to share details about shedding the pounds from a peak of 28st, reports .

Neil recounted: "I got myself to 28st, it all started when you finish football, you're so disciplined, you train every day and at the end you just can't wait to retire.

"When I retired, I just ballooned, the weight ballooned, drinking. When you're a footballer, you're told everyday where to be, you've got to be here this time, you can't eat that, you can't drink that, you've got to wear this. You've always been told what to do and then when you retire, the wheels come off and you just escalate into food, drinking", and admitted, "It just got out of control, I couldn't control myself."

Neil also shared a pivotal moment when a heart specialist warned him he could die within two months without a lifestyle overhaul, which became the 'kick up the backside' he needed. He revealed undergoing gastric sleeve surgery and has now lost nearly 10st.

Reflecting on his health scare, the sports icon said: "I did Harry's Hero, a TV show called Harry's Heroes, with with all ex footballers, late 40s, early 50s, it was like mental health and physical health go get yourself checked out because what men do if we're walking down the street and feel a bit strange, feel a bit dizzy, we won't go see the doctor in case it's bad news.

"I was doing Harry's Heroes, I went a bit dizzy, and I felt sick. Every time I walked 100 yards, I started to feel dizzy, and at the time there was a lot about dementia in football. Heading balls, that was my game, heading balls, so I thought: 'Oh no, what's going wrong!"

The star then disclosed a startling revelation from his doctor: "So I went to see the specialist and it was my heart. He said the way I was going, the way I was carrying on, he said you could die in two months. So it was a big kick up the backside I needed! ", adding on how this led to crucial changes including having a pacemaker fitted and a gastric sleeve surgically placed to ease his heart's burden. He summed up the chain of events by saying: "This is all through drinking and food!"