The Prince of Wales has praised Dele Alli as ‘brave and inspirational’ for speaking out about his mental health struggles after he revealed he was sexually abused as a child.
In an emotional interview, Alli told how he was ‘molested’ as a six-year-old and was dealing drugs aged eight, while he also spoke about alcohol problems, sleeping pill addiction and addressing his mental health issues by spending six weeks in a rehab clinic.
The 27-year-old said he had contemplated hanging up his boots three years ago before leaving Tottenham for Everton in 2022, prompting an outpouring of support with Prince William, the NSPCC and England captain Harry Kane among those to applaud him.
In a personal tweet, William wrote: “Brave and inspirational @dele_official. Discussing mental health is not a sign of weakness. Let’s keep the conversation going.
“We’re all with you and we wish you the very best.”