Calum Best lost his father George in 2005, after the footballer’s well-documented struggle with alcoholism.
Aged just 59, George’s death left a huge hole in young Calum’s life, who at the time was still developing in to a man - being 24 at the time.
The now 34 year old has now opened up on the cycle of destruction and drinking that began with his grandmother.
‘She became alcohol dependent and passed away; when she passed my dad became alcohol dependent, he passed away; when he passed away, I then chased that bottle, drank more than I ever should have because I was trying to numb the pain.’
In a candid interview with Lorraine, Calum recalls an incident when he was 12 (and living in LA).
‘My dad was coming over for a trip and I was telling everybody, “George is coming, we’re all going to have a kick around!”’
‘All the dads were really excited and my dad showed up a bit worse for wear in a shell suit with a long beard and everybody was going, “Is that the hero?”’
Happily for Calum, he is now a good place, healthy and completely loved up with girlfriend Rose Cochrane Stack, who he just went to Abu Dhabi with.
‘I’m the best I’ve ever been, my health is good, my heart is good, and that’s why I’m able to sit here and talk about this.’