Former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson has issued a warning to England and Scotland players at the World Cup, urging them to apply sunscreen after his own battle with skin cancer. The 58-year-old, who was diagnosed with a cancerous melanoma in 2012, spoke on Good Morning Britain about his ordeal and the importance of sun protection.
Merson admitted that he delayed getting a mole checked, which he now regrets. He said: 'I don’t know if it was a man thing or I was scared or something like that.' The mole was discovered when his son noticed bleeding on his back during a family holiday, but Merson still waited before seeking medical attention.
The former footballer, who also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, now undergoes check-ups twice a year. He described the fear of waiting for results as 'horrible.' Merson emphasised that melanoma is preventable by wearing sunscreen, and praised World Cup star Dan Burn for raising awareness.
Merson, who has battled gambling, alcohol, and drug addictions, also spoke about his ongoing recovery. He has given up betting and drinking, but remains 'frightened to death' of relapsing, as he told the Mirror in 2021.
