20 years on from the pain They Think They All Over caused to young Man Utd star

His appearance became such a running joke on They Think It’s All Over that it took a toll on his mental health.

Now former Manchester United player Luke Chadwick has finally won an apology from its host Nick Hancock, who admitted that in retrospect he is ‘appalled’ at his behaviour.

The comic was speaking after the soccer star, now 39, came clean about the effects he ridicule of 20 years ago had on him.

Chadwick tweeted earlier this month: ‘As a young footballer the abuse I received about my appearance affected my mental health a lot. The feeling of embarrassment stopped me talking about how I felt. Although uncomfortable at times, it's so important we talk about our feelings to get through the tough times!’

As a young footballer the abuse I received about my appearance affected my mental health a lot.The feeling of embarrassment stopped me talking about how I felt.

Although uncomfortable at times,it's so important we talk about our feelings to get through the tough times! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gNhQRoQG4u

— Luke Chadwick (@Luke_FFF) May 5, 2020

And he told the BBC that their panel show ‘magnified’ the attention, saying: ‘In the end, it lowers your self-esteem a lot. That’s all I’m known for and spoken about – the way I looked. That isn’t right.’

‘I used to dread it coming on the telly,’ he said. ‘Obviously people were finding it funny, but it was eating away at me a bit inside while that was happening.’

Now Hancock has told of his regret, saying: ‘I’m appalled for him and at myself.’

He told the BBC that Chadwick  had ‘shown so much more generosity and understanding and good judgement than we did’ and added: ‘ The terrible thing about comedians and comedy shows is that if you’re getting laughs, you think you’re doing a good job… We should have been thinking about the person, but that’s what can happen.’

Hancock now wants to make amends in person, but said: ‘If he feels he couldn’t forgive me – although he sounds like he may be able to –I would understand that too.’

Published: 18 May 2020