Neil Ruddock says ‘I wouldn’t be here today’ if it wasn’t for life-changing moment as he reflects on staggering health overhaul
Former footballer Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has revealed that appearing on ITV’s Harry’s Heroes show saved his life after doctors warned him he had just two months to live.
Speaking on GB News, the ex-England defender disclosed that what he initially feared was dementia turned out to be a serious heart condition.
“Without doing that TV show, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Ruddock, who subsequently underwent procedures to restart his heart and received a pacemaker.
The 56-year-old former Liverpool and Tottenham star revealed he reached 27 stone during lockdown, with his weight severely impacting his daily life.
“We live in a three-storey townhouse and I didn’t go upstairs to the top floor for three years, too much hard work,” Ruddock admitted.
His struggles became so severe that he once called a taxi to drive him 400 yards uphill to a train station for Chester Races.
“Walking around hurt. I was tired,” he confessed, adding that while he blamed his knee, he knew he would collapse if he tried.
Inspired by The Only Way is Essex star James Argent’s dramatic weight loss, Ruddock opted for gastric band surgery this year.
Argent, who had lost 13 stone after reaching 27 stone himself, motivated Ruddock during a chance meeting at a celebrity football match.
“It was just fate that I met Arg when I did at a charity football match. I knew I had to have it done after seeing how great he looked,” Ruddock told the Express.
The former footballer has since had 70 percent of his stomach removed, describing it now as “the size of a baby’s.”
The Harry’s Heroes show captured a heated confrontation between Ruddock and fellow former England player Paul Merson, who attempted to advise him about his lifestyle.
Following the row, which occurred while Ruddock was hungover, he attempted to join training the next day but collapsed and was rushed to hospital.
“Merse was trying to give me advice,” Ruddock told The Telegraph. “But it was a bad time, I’d got a hangover, I was feeling low, and I went off on one. At the time I thought I was right. How wrong I was.”
Ruddock now urges others to prioritise their health and seek medical attention when needed.
“Go and see the doctor. It costs you nothing. If you’re driving your car and your car makes a noise, you take it to the mechanic and pay to get it fixed,” he advised.
The former defender now enjoys a healthier lifestyle, including cooking daily meals with his family.
“It’s not like I’m a split personality. I don’t worry if people call me Razor still. But I know I just can’t be him anymore,” he reflected.