Soccer AM legend Peter ‘Tubes’ Dale has detailed the extent of his alcoholism during the show’s heyday, and how he managed to overcome it.
After initially joining the long-running Saturday morning stalwart as an assistant producer, Tubes became one of the most beloved on-air stars for his comedic timing and hilarious celebrity questions.
However, during that time he has admitted that he was struggling with alcoholism, before finally being able to kick the habit.
Appearing alongside his former co-stars on the Mail’s podcast Soccer A-Z, the 42-year-old revealed that at the height of his issues he had been forced to plan his life both inside and outside of work around the addiction.
‘My whole life, the last few years of drinking, was planned around drinking,’ he said.
‘So I’d look at what interviews I had, what the Chelsea fixture list, and it would all be like, I can drink then, I can drink then.
Former Soccer AM star Tubes has detailed the extent of his alcoholism before getting sober
Tubes was one of the key figures of the long-running Sky Sports programme during its heyday alongside current Soccer A-Z hosts Helen Chamberlain and Tim Lovejoy
During his time on Soccer AM Tubes revealed he would hide his addiction from his colleagues
‘So I would always, if I was going out to the pub, I’d go to the off license beforehand and buy loads of little vodkas for so I could carry on when last orders was called, but also for the next morning.
‘I’d get up in the morning and just down the vodka to get back on a level. It was a really strong addiction, and I’m so glad I decided to stop.’
Helen Chamberlain revealed that during their time working together she had attempted to broach the subject with Tubes, only to be rebuffed.
‘I mean, alcoholics are very, very good liars,’ Tubes continued.
‘I just lied for years. I remember you asking, and I always was cautious I’d stunk because I’d been drinking in the morning.
‘Some of the mornings you picked me up, I’d had a few vodkas to keep on a level. But I’d lie. I’d lie every single week, like I have so many tactics as well to hide it.
‘It got to the point where, when dad died, I moved back to mum’s house to look after mum, but if I’d forgot my vodkas for the next morning, if I’d went out the night before, I’d find ways to get alcohol back into the house.
‘I’d leave early doors. I’d get up at half five, look under the bed and go, “oh no, there’s no vodka”, or “there’s no beer.”
The 42-year-old Chelsea super-fan admitted that at the height of his problem he would attend an off licence immediately after waking up
‘So I go to the off licence, the poor lady would just be like, “you’re back again. I know what you want.”
‘So I used to, like, wear football socks and, like, get the football tapes, you know, you take the socks and put vodka in the football socks, because obviously my mum knew I had a problem, so she’d be searching the bag, but I’d have so many things to get vodka back into the house.
‘You’re constantly lying as an alcoholic, because you that’s what you care about. So yeah, It was exhausting.’
After years of abuse, Tubes revealed that he realised he had reached an ultimatum and needed to make a change.
He continued: ‘I stopped, completely stopped. I went to one AA meeting, which I always say, helps millions across the world.
‘But for me personally, when the guest speaker came on and said about what happened to him through alcohol. I was like, “this is what’s going to happen to me. I’m going to lose it all.”
‘So that really helps. But I didn’t really like the other stuff. I just didn’t think it would help me. I thought if I don’t have that first drink, all hell won’t break loose afterwards. So that’s how I live. Don’t touch the first one.’
When asked what he would recommend for others that find themselves in a similar situation Tubes stressed the need to rely on others for support.
Tubes was a fan favourite on Soccer AM before departing Sky after more than two decades last year
‘Talk to people, let people know how you’re feeling,’ he added.
‘Let people know that you have got a problem, because you’d be amazed the support you get when you do admit you have a problem.
‘The amount of people now that say to me, “well done,” like on social media or my friends.
‘If you’re struggling on your own, it’s going to be a hell of a lot harder. So a problem shared is a problem halved. So I talk to people, make sure we people know that you’re struggling.’
For support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch or go to the Samaritans website.
