Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock threatens to beat up Paul Merson after furious row over drinking

Notorious football hardman Neil Ruddock threatened to beat up Paul Merson during a heated argument over the former Tottenham and Liverpool defender’s drinking.

Merson delivered a stark warning to an infuriated Ruddock in a TV show, saying that the 52-year-old’s boozing is killing him.

The pair clashed in the latest series of ‘Harry’s Heroes’ after Merson, who has suffered from alcohol addiction in the past, took exception to Ruddock downing pints and shots in the pub during filming.

Neil Ruddock threatened to beat up Paul Merson after the pair clashed over his drinking habits

Merson, 52, delivered a stark warning to his friend, saying that his boozing may be killing him

Merson, 52, delivered a stark warning to his friend, saying that his boozing may be killing him

Ruddock was even recorded drinking with a bra on his head, leaving ex-Arsenal star Merson to accost his friend and tell him that his boozing is spiralling out of control.

But Merson, also 52, was soon left in tears after Ruddock furiously retorted and stormed out of the room.  

Ruddock had yelled: ‘Don’t shout at me or I’ll get the hump with you.

‘I’ll throw you out the f*****g door. This gives me the hump. F**k off.’

Ruddock told Merson he would throw him 'out the f*****g door' and then stormed out the room

Ruddock told Merson he would throw him ‘out the f*****g door’ and then stormed out the room

After the bust-up, a visibly emotional Merson delivered his thoughts to the camera.

‘No one wants to die, do they?’ he said. ‘I’d probably say he’s scared, confused, frightened. With Neil, he’s a tomorrow man. Tomorrow never comes. It doesn’t matter if you’re the richest person in the world, or the healthiest, we only get today.’

Ruddock, also on the cusp of tears, reflected on the argument – and admitted that Merson’s warning had ‘hurt’.

He told viewers: ‘I’ve just had a barney with Merse. We love each other. We’ve known each other since we were 16.

Merson, who has struggled with alcohol addiction, admitted that the TV show saved his life

Merson, who has struggled with alcohol addiction, admitted that the TV show saved his life

‘It’s all right if it’s people you don’t really know telling you “do this, do that”, but when it comes from someone you love, that’s why it hurts so much. It got to me.’

But former Three Lions star Merson, who earned 21 caps during the 1990s, was originally left irked by his old friend’s boozy habits.

After being shown Ruddock’s antics in the pub, Merson said: ‘It’s just winding me up. He’s down there doing bombs and all that, and it’s a joke. He’s sat down with all the lads, and he’s said he’s dying, and they’re drinking with him. 

‘If I went in the pub now with them, and said “line me up one”, they’d all go mad. No one would buy me a drink. But they don’t get it with Razor. What’s the difference? 

The emotional pair soon patched up their differences and Ruddock vowed he would change

The emotional pair soon patched up their differences and Ruddock vowed he would change

‘You’re getting pictures through with a bra on your head. This is the sad thing, because this is me nine months ago… not knowing what to do, how I’m going to stop. Not seeing any way out. I see that in him now, and that’s why it’s quite hurtful.’ 

But the pair soon patched up their differences in an emotionally-charged discussion, with Ruddock vowing to change for the better. 

Merson has admitted that the ITV show, which follows a team of former England players managed by Harry Redknapp, has saved his life.

He said: ‘From last time, I’m 100 times better, my life’s changed around. Where I was last year compared to now I can’t explain. 

Merson opened up on his alcohol and gambling addiction and credited the show for its help

Merson opened up on his alcohol and gambling addiction and credited the show for its help

The ITV show tracks a team of former England internationals - managed by Harry Redknapp (centre) - (left to right) Rob Lee, Lee Sharpe, Ray Parlour, Lee Hendrie, Mark Wright, Matt Le Tissier, Paul Merson and Mark Chamberlain

The ITV show tracks a team of former England internationals – managed by Harry Redknapp (centre) – (left to right) Rob Lee, Lee Sharpe, Ray Parlour, Lee Hendrie, Mark Wright, Matt Le Tissier, Paul Merson and Mark Chamberlain

‘The impact of being in the team, it saved my life. I was drinking at least 35 pints a week and gambling. But I’m sober and bet free now. As soon as I addressed the drinking I didn’t gamble. 

‘I’ve come to realise I’m powerless over alcohol – I’m an alcoholic.

‘I have a disease and it is a disease. My drinking and gambling left a lot of wreckage.

‘As an alcoholic, recovering now those things are hard for me. It’s quite sad really because you look now and think what a waste of a life, some of it.’ 

Harry’s Heroes: Euro Having a Laugh starts next Monday at 9pm.