MAFS star reveals 15-year gambling addiction and admits he's been through a ‘dark time'
A MARRIED at first star has revealed he had a 15-year gambling addiction, and admitted he's been through a "dark time".
Luke Debono, 32, shot to fame last year when he wed Amy Kenyon on the E4 reality show, but has now revealed his past battle with gambling.
6
6
6
6
In a brave video on Instagram, the Married At First Sight UK star admitted that he had an addiction to gambling that took over his life.
He also talked candidly about finding the "courage to seek help".
Addressing his battle with addiction, Luke bravely his followers: "Hi everyone, as part of my journey that I want to share.
"I think it's kind of the right moment and the right time to share a bit of a personal journey.
Continuing he said: "For the last, I don't know, 15 years of my adult life, I've been kind of going through gambling as an addiction.
"It was quite dark and, you know, it took all of my effort and all of my energy and that's what kind of the only thing that I was kind of thinking about and obsessed with.
"And ever since the last, you know, three years in recovery, I have found strength in talking about things and power, in being vulnerable and being honest, having clear communication.
"And I think every experience that I've had has led to this point where it makes me feel like I'm ready to share this story.
"And if that helps you, if you're currently going through an addiction yourself, whether it's pornography or substance or gambling as well, mental health, please do so because one of the most powerful weapon and tool that I found was the ability to talk to someone.
"And it gave me the confidence and the courage and the strength to find recovery."
Watch the brutal moment Married At First Sight's Amy ends marriage to Luke as viewers are distracted by her 'funeral' outfit
Luke then said: "And life is good because I'm not gambling. You know, I'm actually really happy and really content, you know, that the recovery is ongoing.
"And it's always something I respect because obviously I know where it can go and how dark it can be.
"But there's always light at the end of the tunnel."
The star went onto double down on how anyone going though addiction "should talk to someone" and "seek help".
How to get help for a gambling addiction
Gambling addiction is a serious issue that can have devastating effects on individuals and their families. Recognizing the signs and symptoms is crucial for seeking timely help. Common indicators of a gambling problem include spending more money and time on gambling than intended, lying about gambling activities, and experiencing financial difficulties as a result. Emotional symptoms may include anxiety, stress, and depression, often exacerbated by the losses and the cycle of chasing them.
There are several avenues for support and treatment for those struggling with gambling addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common approach that helps individuals change their gambling behaviors and thoughts. Support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, provide a community of individuals facing similar challenges, offering mutual support and understanding. Additionally, various helplines and online resources are available to provide immediate assistance and guidance.
It is essential for friends and family members to be aware of these signs and encourage their loved ones to seek professional help. Early intervention can prevent the escalation of the problem and help individuals regain control over their lives. By addressing gambling addiction head-on and utilizing available resources, individuals can work towards recovery and a healthier, more balanced life.
MAFS JOURNEY
Luke found fame on MAFS UK last autumn.
He was paired with Amy, and they had all the makings of a strong relationship at the start, but things soon turned sour.
Amy then brutally dumped him during the vow renewal ceremony after he made some shocking comments.
The bride revealed how Luke wrote in a letter: "I wish I got down on my knees and terrorised your b*****e."
During the vow renewal ceremony, Amy made her feelings for Luke clear when she arrived dressed for a funeral.
6
6
She savagely told Luke: "I know my worth and you aren't worthy of me. This marriage is done, dead, deceased.
"I stand here in front of you today wearing black to mourn its death. RIP."
A few months ago, Amy reignited her feud with her ex husband again and said she will "never speak to him again".
During a Q&A on her Instagram page, she was asked: "Have you spoken to whatever his name/face was?"
Amy knew who the fan was referring to and swiftly responded: "No I have not or never will speak to b*****e terroriser/he who shall not be named xox".
In a chat with The Sun in February, Luke revealed that he regretted his comments about Amy's b*****e.
Amy and Luke's bitter split
Amy and Luke initially seemed like a strong couple on the hit series, but cracks began to show in their relationship as the season progressed
Over the course of the experiment, Luke's behaviour, "lies" and the sexual innuendos he often made, left Amy feeling uncomfortable.
At the vow renewal ceremony, Amy dressed in black and declared the marriage "done, dead, deceased" and ended their relationship before walking away from her former groom.
Then, in the final commitment ceremony, Amy revealed Luke had sent her a letter with a crude note about "terrorising Amy's b*****e".
After the show concluded, the pair swiftly unfollowed each other on Instagram, with Amy now saying she plans on never speaking to Luke again - despite Luke speaking positively of their time together.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
The 4 signs of skin cancer beyond moles as Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton reveals diagnosis after ‘itch on her back'
ATOMIC Kitten's Natasha Hamilton opened up about her skin cancer battle, revealing she was diagnosed with the disease after getting a persistent itchy spot on her back. In an emotional Good Morning Britain interview, the singer, 42, revealed she'd had basal cell carcinoma (BCC). 9 9 BCC is the most common skin cancer type in the UK. It begins in the basal cells — a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off - and is more likely to develop on skin regularly exposed to the sun, like the face, head or neck. The cancer often tends to appear as a pearly lump, but it can also develop as a scar-like patch on the skin or rough, scaly growths. Natasha initially mistook the diseased patch of skin as a mosquito bite. She told her hosts Kate Garraway and Rob Rinder that she developed an itch after catching a bit too much sun while on holiday in Majorca. Natasha said: "So I had been on holiday, I wasn't actually in the sun a lot, my baby was only about five months old and I was breastfeeding. "One afternoon I had her on my lap, my back was in the sun and I burnt. "I don't know if it was later that day or the next day, I had an itchy spot on my back. "I felt it, I went "oh mosquito bite". 'It wasn't until four weeks later when I was at home and it was itching I was like 'hang on a minute, that seems a bit long for a mosquito bite'. 'I asked my husband to have look and he went "oh that's not a bite," he took a picture. Natasha revealed: "Originally it had just been a dark freckle that I'd had on my back for many years. "It wasn't even raised, it wasn't a mole, it was just a freckle." The star sought specialist help and was diagnosed with BCC. 9 9 9 She was able to have the cancerous skin removed and is now living cancer-free. But she revealed: "Now I have to be really vigilant, I have to check my skin all the time. "Since then I've had a few things appear where I've had to go back to the dermatologist, they're on the 'watch list'. "This is probably something I am going to have to keep an eye for the rest of my life," Natasha said. The 4 signs of BCC When you think of signs of skin cancer, a mole probably comes to mind. This is usually the case with melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. But non-melanoma skin cancer - which includes BCC - can manifest in other more subtle ways. According to Macmillan Cancer Support, a BCC might have some of these features: A smooth, firm lump that may be pearly, pink, red, brown or black – on black or brown skin, it is more likely to be pearly, brown or black A lump that is sunken in the middle like a crater A flat patch of scaly, crusty or irritated skin A scar-like area of pale, shiny skin This type of skin cancer tends to be painless but it can cause itchiness or bleeding. 9 9 9 Over time, a BCC may develop into an open sore that does not heal. Any part of your skin can be affected, but it's most common in areas exposed to the sun, such as the: Head, face and ears Neck and shoulders Back Hands Lower legs BCCs mainly people with fair skin, but those with other skin types may also be at risk, according to the British Skin Foundation. Those with the highest risk of developing a basal cell carcinoma are: People with pale skin who burn easily and rarely tan Those who have had a lot of exposure to the sun, such as people with outdoor hobbies or outdoor workers, and people who have lived in sunny climates People who have used sun beds or have regularly sunbathed. People who have previously had a basal cell carcinoma Almost all cases of BCC can be cured and it's almost never a danger to life, according to the charity. However, if a BCC is not treated early, it may get larger and may be more likely to come back. Treatment can include surgically removing the affected area of skin. There are two main types of skin cancer - non melanoma skin cancer and melanoma skin cancer. Non melanoma skin cancer includes: Basal cell skin cancer - this is also called basal cell carcinoma (BCC) Squamous cell skin cancer - this is also called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) Some other rare types Non melanoma skin cancers tend to develop most often on skin that's exposed to the sun. There is a high cure rate for these cancers. Most people only have minor surgery and don't need further treatment. Melanoma skin cancer is when abnormal cells in the skin start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. It starts in skin cells called melanocytes. These cells are in the deep layer of the epidermis. Around 17,500 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK each year. The number of people diagnosed has increased over the last few decades. Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.
The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
Mum rants about ‘worst hols ever' & ‘disgusting food' at 4-star Greek hotel but trolls call her a ‘drama queen'
A BRIT mum has been dubbed a ''drama queen'' after ranting about the ''worst holiday ever'' at a four-star Greek hotel. Mother-of-two, only known as TikToker @ strawbz938, jetted off to Greece with her family after booking the holiday with TUI. 2 The furious mother, from Cardiff, claimed they were promised ''a five-star resort '' where they'd stay for ''seven nights'' - but the ordeal soon turned into ''a long list of problems''. After landing in Rhodes and checking into the resort, the mum discovered the accommodation was ''a three-star resort''. ''But because they have a water park, they're able to bump it up to a four-star. ''In my opinion, it's not even a three-star,'' she said in the TikTok video, showing viewers the conditions of the resort. The outraged mother also added that while the pool area ''looked stunning'', upon further inspection, she discovered everything was ''taped together''. After complaining to the staff, the family was then moved to a different part of the resort - however, the new room also ''wasn't up'' to her standards. ''I was under the impression that I was booking a five-star resort,'' she said, vowing to ''do research and read the reviews'' next time. Unfortunately for the holiday-goers, it ''then went from bad to worse'', as they here hit by ''a massive storm''. ''We got absolutely soaked walking back and forth from the one hotel to the other. At this point, I was just wanted to cry,'' the TikToker lamented. To their absolute horror, the area was covered by mega puddles - with the hubby having to carry the mother across, as ''there was no way'' she'd walk through the rain water in her ''90p flip flops from Primark ''. Although the following day the weather had improved, the mother was less than impressed with the food - which she dubbed ''absolutely disgusting''. Sharing her woes online, the holiday-goer also showed viewers her plate of lasagna, salad, coleslaw and couscous. After desperately wanting to ''leave the hotel'', the family ventured out and visited the ''stunning'' Old Town. She said: ''Everyone kept telling to try and cheer up and just deal with it - that's exactly what I did for my children, I wanted them to have the best holiday ever.'' But their troubles didn't end there - as an hour after going to bed, they were woken up by '' a massive earthquake ''. In the end, the mother decided that she had had ''enough'' and took the family back home. She went on in the caption: ''I know I'm lucky to have a holiday and some people aren't in a position to even go away for the weekend but when you've requested specific standards and you turn up to a lot less, it's very frustrating!'' Cheap holiday essentials IF you're jetting abroad this summer, here are the cheap holiday essentials you won't want to miss. PACKING CUBES: They're loved by mum-of-22 Sue Radford and not only do they save space in your luggage, but they'll ensure that your case is super neat and tidy. TAG TRACKER: There's nothing worse than loosing your luggage, but thanks to this handy £15 buy from B&M, you won't have to worry about that on your next trip. KIDS' CABIN BAG: Don't worry if you can't afford to splash the cash on a Trunki, as Aldi are selling an alternative dupe buy for just £29.99 - and it's great for children. HAND LUGGAGE CASE: For those that are opting to go hand luggage instead of paying a fortune for a check-in bag, Morrisons are selling extra small cases, that are perfect for taking on a flight, for only £7.99. Although TUI ''are currently dealing with the situation'', the furious TikToker - who claimed to have forked out £5k for the trip - said she didn't ''have much faith at all''. ''As for me being dramatic over the earthquake - yes, I do overreact, I overthink and I panic and when my children are involved I act fast and I just up and left, maybe if I hadn't of had the worst holiday ever to begin with I'd feel more comfortable saying after I'd calmed down!'' 'Drama queen' Since being posted online, the holiday video has taken the internet by storm, amassing close to 370k views in just one day. But while the mother was certainly far from impressed with the getaway, people online thought she was overreacting, as they branded her a ''drama queen''. One said: ''Drama queen. you cut your kids holiday short,take out board games,enjoy your time with the children!'' Another chimed in: ''Complaining about the weather and earthquake like it's TUI or the Hotels fault.'' A third joked: ''Did TUI make it rain?'' Someone else said: ''I don't think I've ever booked a holiday without extensively checking review sites. Is that not just standard practice?'' However, there were also plenty of those who agreed with the mum-of-two, with one writing: ''it looks sounds like a holiday from hell. nice that your husband carried you over the puddle lol.'' ''This is such a shame when you spend your hard earned money trying to make the best memories for your family! glad you're home safe!'' commented another.
The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
I interviewed Love Island's Sophie Lee weeks after her ‘face fell off' – she's overcome ‘constant' pain & a month in ICU
LOVE Islanders are notorious for scrubbing their social media in the days leading up to the Villa, leaving only the most polished snaps up on their feeds. But open Sophie Lee 's page even today and the photos pinned to the top, from 2019 and 2020, show her with huge swollen scars protruding from her face. 10 10 Personally I'm not surprised. As someone who interviewed Sophie twice right in the thick of her struggles, I know she's different from some of the ultra-superficial women who grace our screens in their bikinis. When I first spoke to Manchester-based Sophie, she was 23, and it was days before Christmas 2018. Fabulous was one of the first publications to share her story with the world. Airy and bright during our chat, you'd have no idea what she was going through without visual proof. Her attitude was amazing, especially for someone so young. A professional fire dancer, Sophie was permanently scarred when an air-con unit blew flames back into her face in a freak accident in April 2018. After her face went up in flames, she spent a month in intensive care, and emerged from the trauma with a whole new attitude on life. In her own words, the accident made Sophie 'toughen up and grow a thicker skin'. She told me: 'I just have to accept myself for me. I think sometimes people stare because they don't know how to ask. It's not intentionally rude, I think they're just curious and don't know what to say. "I never mind if people ask about my scars, then I can educate more people about what happened.' Love Island weight loss plans, makeovers and even non-surgical tweakments are now common-place among the contestants, all religiously documented on social media as the competitive TV show enters its 10th year. All Stars' Gabby Allen even flogged her pre-villa fitness plan when she emerged as the show's most recent winner. Sophie, who had a five-figure following as an influencer well before Love Island came knocking, wasn't immune to body confidence concerns before her accident. She told me: 'In school I went through that phase of 'oh, I'm massive, I'm this and that,' because I think you naturally do when you're that age. 'Everyone's judging each other, you're growing boobs, you're like 'oh, I don't know what this is'. I think everyone kind of has body issues going through high school. 'All my friends had big boobs or had legs, and I've always been a bit up and down on the scale of my weight. 'Especially with the industry I was in (of dance and performing), I was always scrutinised for how you look. "But with this accident it's crazy. Because the one time I feel like I should be most body conscious, I'm probably the happiest I've ever been." 10 Despite early signs her facial scars were healing well, Sophie later developed dramatic keloids on her chin. Keloids are benign tumours which grow in areas of trauma and are more common in people with olive or black skin, or in Sophie's case having Chinese heritage. She said: "Dancing's all about getting dressed up, glitz and glam, I've always loved that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not myself and I know I'll never be myself again. "That's something I have to accept and it has been hard to accept that - but also without this scar I would be dead. That's the way I look at it, I don't look at it as a burden.' We spoke for a second time in June 2019, just weeks after Sophie had ground-breaking cryo surgery. Never one to shy away from the gruesome details, or hide behind edited pics, Sophie's PR pitched the story to me with an email entitled 'My face came off in my hands.' Explaining the NHS-funded op at the time, Sophie said: "The scar started to die and then my face basically fell off. Liquid nitrogen was pumped in to kill it. "At first it went massive, like it had been pumped up with water. It tripled in size, it was horrendous. 'In hospital I just felt like a giant slug, I couldn't move or do anything. "Then it just started leaking liquid nitrogen. Over the space of two months, it was starting to dry out and peel away. "It was horrendous, the skin was dying and it was on my face. I couldn't really move my neck, it was just so painful. The scar started to die and then my face basically fell off. At first it went massive, like it had been pumped up with water. It tripled in size, it was horrendous Sophie Lee "When it actually detached I couldn't feel anything, because it had already died. "But at the start it was really raw, fresh skin. Showering was unbearable. "For a good month I couldn't really do anything. I had to change the dressings at least twice a day - they were soaking wet all the time. "I couldn't leave the house because I had to take so many dressings and pads with me." 10 She now keeps her dead skin in the freezer, in a small Tupperware box, explaining it's "next to the peas, no big deal". Sophie, who's been celibate for eight months, had the treatment in March 2019, as her tumours threatened to engulf her face. She told me: "Keloid scarring is a form of benign tumour, it was going to carry on growing and slowly overtake my face. "It was very painful and becoming a big burden. I had started to lose movement on my neck, because it was growing so rapidly. "The scars got so big you couldn't see my neck, it came down to my chin. "Because of my ethnicity, being Chinese, it was really angry and violent. "The longer I left it, the bigger the keloids would have gotten. I was in so much pain and it was starting to alter my expressions on my face." Sophie always wanted to turn what had happened to her into a positive, raising awareness of injuries even in her early 20s. She said: 'I've got a younger sister who's 16 years old, that was the age when I was comparing myself a lot. 'And I just want her to know that, your big sister can still do it and represent girls, I want her to feel proud of me. 'She looks up to a lot of my friends, looks up to me and I want to be that good example for her. 'It's important to mould the next generation, not the current generation. I want to put them in a good mindset.' Despite Sophie's sunny disposition, she was clearly hugely affected by what had happened to her, which may be why it's taken her six years to say yes to Love Island (I'd be stunned if they hadn't approached her for previous years). She told me in 2019: "I try not to think negatively, but I am in pain and you do think 'when is this going to be over?' I'm constantly suffering. "Even now I can't go outside when it's sunny without having to cover up my whole face, because it's fresh skin and I'll get burnt really fast. 'I wear a black mask to protect it. It's healed underneath but just to be safe. "I don't want to risk getting burnt, it's not worth it. I'm still healing. "But I am in the best hands and it's important to talk about the good and the bad, because that means I can help others in this situation. "I'm a normal person, I have feelings, I'm not just living this amazing life. I do have my down days, and it's OK to feel like that." As Sophie jets off to sunny Mallorca to enter the villa on Monday, where temperatures are reaching 32C, the lack of black mask will be a stark reminder of how far she has come.
