From Braveheart to broken heart - How Colin Hendry turned to drink after losing wife

FORMER Scotland Captain Colin Hendry has admitted that heavy drinking, as well as gambling, played a part in his downfall after the death of his wife Denise.

Hendry was declared bankrupt last year with debts of 2.2 million and was forced to sell his mansion in Lancashire in order to pay his creditors.

But yesterday, Hendry, 45, confessed for the first time that drink compounded his problems as he struggled to deal with the death of his wife after botched plastic surgery.

The former Rangers player said: "I did drink quite a lot initially; alcohol seemed to be a get-out for me."

In an emotional interview he spoke about his "perfect" marriage to former hairdresser Denise and said that his wife's long illness and death had left him struggling to cope.

He added: "I'm not a bad guy, I've made mistakes in my life, like most people have."

He said further revelations about what happened during his wife's illness would emerge at an inquest to be held in March next year. However, he said for legal reasons he could say very little about the process.

"It has been a tough, tough time. It is very cruel for someone to lose their life, she was a very happy-go-lucky lady, a beautiful woman, great mother . . . just the best."

The revelation that the ex-footballer hit the bottle came as a surprise to sports commentators who said Hendry, nicknamed Braveheart, had never had a reputation as a drinker, although his gambling problem has been known about for some time.

Hendry said: "I gambled, not as much and not as badly as has been reported. But I'm not going to start defending myself, it was a get-out for me - that's what I've done wrong, as well as having a drink."

He said caring for his four children, Rheagan, 19, Kyle, 18, Calum, 11, and nine-year-old Niamh, had helped him deal with the situation. He said: "The mental strength I carved out throughout my football career has helped me, but nothing compares with what I have been through over the last two years.

Hendry said day to day life with his children had helped him through: "Really there is nothing you can do, all that you can do is try to put a smile on the kids' faces.

"Since summertime I've tried to do things the correct way, the best I can and that is, A, look after my family, and B, work hand in hand with the bankruptcy process."

The ex-footballer said he was enjoying his new job as a weekend Scottish football commentator with ESPN.

He said: "It keeps your hand in and I enjoy it."

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But although he said he was still recognised everywhere he added: "I was never one of those who enjoyed the adulation."

In June last year at Blackpool County Court, it emerged Hendry was broke despite a career as a player and a manager in which he earned millions.

As well as owing 1.1m to the taxman, other debts included 65,000 to his late father's estate, 35,000 to his brother and 10,000 to his in-laws. Hendry's gambling habit became public when it emerged that he had debts to online gaming company Spreadex totalling 35,000.

Neighbour Hector McFarlane also said he and his wife had lent Hendry 85,000 during his wife's illness at a time when he was reported to have said "the vultures are circling".When declared bankrupt, a statement read out on Hendry's behalf said: "What worries me now and what I am unsure about is what impact this will have on my ability to earn money in the future.

"It has already had a bad effect on my family."

In his interview with the BBC's Ian Cheeseman, Hendry said the main factor behind the bankruptcy was a tax problem which he was still trying to resolve.