Marco Pierre White Junior, the 28-year-old son of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, has converted to Islam while serving time in prison, claiming the faith has helped him overcome his heroin addiction. The former Celebrity Big Brother star, who has struggled with drugs since age 18, was released from HMP Bristol after an 11-month sentence.
Last year, Marco Jr pleaded guilty to 14 offences including shoplifting, possessing a knife, possessing heroin, and a racially aggravated public order offence. He was sentenced to 11 months, with an additional 32 weeks from a previously suspended term to run consecutively.
Speaking after his release, Marco Jr said: 'More than £1million has been wasted because of my addictions. But Islam has helped me get through everything. I have been in rehab 17 times and being in prison has made me realise that enough is enough.' He now prays five times a day and credits his faith with keeping him clean.
The tattooed ex-con, who has a three-year-old daughter named Arabella, revealed his father spent over £1 million on his rehabilitation over the years. Despite this, Marco Jr said he refused to let his father visit him in prison because he had 'put him through a lot'. He now plans to become a chef, following in his father's footsteps.
During his time in HMP Bristol and Channings Wood, Marco Jr was stabbed in the neck and lost six teeth in brawls. He was moved to a single cell for his safety after being attacked by inmates who discovered he was serving time for a race hate crime. He described prison as the 'only thing' that cured his addiction, saying being locked up for 23 hours a day made him realise how fortunate he was.
'I could have done anything I wanted to, but instead I did heroin and ended up in prison. I have been an idiot,' he said. Marco Jr is determined never to use drugs again, motivated by his daughter and his newfound faith.
