Merson Sells Out

Paul Merson - former football player - has appalled me by endorsing a chain of bookmakers by appearing in adverts.

The gambling addict's face is splashed upon posters for a company called BetterBet. He holds in his hand a card with the companys telephone number and boasts a campy smile.

I don't know who is at fault here - Merson for doing it or BetterBet for putting a known addict on advertising for their brand. Either way, it's one of the most ridiculous ad campaigns I have ever seen due to the contradiction involved by both parties.

Paul Merson has made his plight against gambling public. This is a U-turn that sends a terrible message.

Back in the 1990s when he revealed he had lost a fortune through gambling it made the star seem human.

I was in high school when the revelation was made and realised it took a lot of guts and knew that it would help people if someone in the public eye talked about it.

I feel he's sold himself out. That message he delivered through his media appearances and in his autobiography has been deemed obsolete with his involvement in this advertising campaign.