Brian McDermott, former Arsenal player and Reading and Leeds boss opens up on alcoholism.

I was so delighted to welcome Brian to the Talk TV studio on the Sunday Night Club show, He was keen to join me, although cautious about telling his own story of recovery from alcoholism.

Only the day before, he'd been in a Buckinghamshire retreat telling his story of recovery alongside Russell Brand, who has also travelled a journey from addiction.

It's been seven-and-a-half years since Brian had a drink and he has people around him to keep him on the straight and narrow.

At 53, he turned to his wife and said, "I can't do this anymore. I'm reaching out for help". He'd woken up with a stinging hangover one too many times.

He describes drinking as a silent addiction: he could function perfectly in his job and not even his assistant manager at Reading Nigel Gibbs, who he'd had a close working relationship with knew.

He emerged from an extreme drinking culture in football in the eighties and he revealed "the best teams were the biggest drinkers".

The instant reaction from viewers during the show was incredible and hope replaying this video will help others too.

Interviewing on television and radio is a highly rewarding job. The chance to talk intimately and in detail with a guest is a wonderful opportunity, especially when telling stories such as Brian's can make a difference to people's lives.