S Club 7 singer Jo O’Meara has talked about her addiction to the game.
The 43-year-old star appeared in Lorraine on Thursday to talk about her compulsion to play fruit machines at the height of her fame with the pop group.
In his first TV interview since he revealed that he had a problem with the game when he was younger, I told host Lorraine, “It became a little bit. With the band, I was so busy and so agitated, I just used it as a bit of an escape to run away with myself for a while. “
Fight: Jo O’Meara talks about his gambling addiction, appearing in Lorraine on Thursday to talk about his compulsion to play fruit machines to live up to his fame
I admitted, “I got stuck in the flashing lights and got all three sets or goblins, or whatever. It was a little too much fun.
Lorraine asked if the band knew what was going on and Jo said, “Yeah, they knew it.” When we were traveling around the county, it was like, “Where am I?” Everyone would know, “Oh, she’s in the fruit machines.” But that was exactly what I did. “
Then Lorraine asked when she knew she was doing a little, and I said, “I don’t think I’ve ever done that.” When I look back I think, “I really shouldn’t have been doing this,” because what you learn as you get older is that you never win. “
Fame: In her first TV interview since she revealed she had a problem with betting when she was younger, the S Club 7 star told presenter Lorraine: “She became a bit” (at the photo in 1999)
I went on to explain that continuing to play was not about money, but about the thrill of playing on machines.
She revealed: “It was about beating the machine, getting all three sets, the excitement of that made me want to do it even more.”
Lorraine asked him if he had ever won and said, “You never win … that’s why I’m here today, to highlight it because it’s everywhere.”
Speaking: I said, ‘It’s not real money, is it? When you press a button, it’s very easy to fall into a very, very dark place.’
Speaking of how easy it is to play with cell phones, I said, “It’s not real money, is it? When you press a button, it’s very easy to fall into a very, very dark place … It can happen to anyone. I think it’s still there. there is a great stigma, where people associate the game with a man sitting at a betting site or a poker table.
‘That’s not the case. Much more is happening than before. I wanted to get in touch with people and tell them, “I’ve been there myself, I understand. There’s no shame in picking up the phone and asking for help.”
On how he overcame his addiction, I said, “I thought one day, ‘That’s it, I’m done.’ “But there is help.”
Pop Star Days: Lorraine asked if the band knew what was going on and I said, “Everyone would know, ‘Oh, she’s on the fruit machines.’ But that was just what I did.”
I first talked about your problem with gaming in a video released this week in collaboration with GamCare to commemorate its 25th anniversary.
The S Club 7 star joined forces with former England footballer Peter Shilton and his wife Steph Shilton to share a new film where everyone talked about their struggles with the game to inspire others to seek help.
I commented: “This will be the first time I’ve talked about my past game problems, and I hope it helps raise awareness about how common it can be.”
“Gambling problems do not discriminate, anyone can be affected regardless of age, gender or origin and the problems will only increase with the use of smartphones and the rising cost of living.”
GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline on toll-free 0808 8020 133 or via web chat at www.gamcare.org.uk, providing information, advice and assistance to anyone with gambling problems.
In the past, about how he overcame his addiction, I said, “I thought one day, ‘That’s it, I’m done.’