Jamie Redknapp shared a personal update with fans as he sat down to speak on Romesh Ranganathan’s podcast late last year. The former footballer revealed he has been sober for the last 18 months. He explained that a hangover after his 50th birthday prompted the major lifestyle change.
He said: “I never had a bad relationship with alcohol. I’ve always suffered terrible hangovers, so that tells you alcohol doesn’t agree with me.” Opening up about his birthday celebrations, the football pundit said he “spent the day drinking” and woke up feeling “horrendous” the following day.
On the moment he decided to become sober, Jamie added: “I remember walking home, and I thought, ‘That’s it, I’m gonna stop drinking’. That feeling of not memorising anything that happened was just horrendous for me.”
Jamie admitted he was never previously a massive drinker but “loved” a glass of wine. Despite months without drinking, the former Liverpool FC player said: “I don’t necessarily feel that much better for it, but I just feel pleased that I’ve done it.”
The interview was originally released back in October but resurfaced after a fan posted a clip on X while reflecting on their own sobriety journey. Jamie also shared that several of his friends had struggled with drug and alcohol problems.
He is the proud dad to Raphael; with his second wife, Frida Andersson, the couple welcomed their son in 2021. He also shares sons Charley, 21, and Beau, 17, with ex-wife Louise.
Jamie explained: “I want to take up every morning when I see Rafa. I don’t want to feel like ‘oh, I feel rubbish today’; I want to get up earlier than him and be as healthy as possible.”
Jamie has led a healthy lifestyle for many years, including his time as a footballer. Among the clubs he played for was Liverpool. He made 308 appearances for the Reds. Some of the honours he won with the club included FA Cup (1992), League Cup (1995), UEFA Super Cup (2001).
The 52-year-old was just 17 years old when he became the final signing of Kenny Dalglish’s first reign as Liverpool boss. Graeme Souness handed him his Reds debut in a UEFA Cup clash at Auxerre in October 1991. He became the youngest player to feature in a European competition for the club in the process.
England recognition followed, and Redknapp represented his country at Euro 96, but the injury issues that persisted throughout his career meant he missed out on both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
He left in April 2002 to join Tottenham Hotspur. After spells at other clubs, Redknapp decided to retire from the game at the age of 31, due to his constant injury problems and on the advice of his medical specialists.