Ross Kemp meets gambling addict teacher who blew £127k in just 26 minutes playing online roulette
ROSS Kemp was left stunned after he met a gambling addict who revealed he blew £127,000 in just 26 minutes playing online roulette.
Alex's addiction spiralled out of control as he forced himself to "go off the grid", and no longer has a phone or car to try to curb his gambling problem.
The 35-year-old from the UK said his relationships with his family and friends have crumbled as a result.
Appearing on last night's ITV documentary series Ross Kemp's Living With, the teacher said: "I've lost friendships, jobs, relationships - I was engaged, I don't see my daughter.
"I'll never get back some of the friendships and relationships I've lost. That's the hardest thing to suffer."
Alex told the EastEnders star he started gambling at age 17 and he eventually started to borrow money from friends and family.
He told Ross that he is generally a responsible person and explained: "I've never got in a fight, I don't take drugs, I don't drink - only on very rare occasions."
Now Alex is in gambling rehab and everyday is a constant battle with his addiction.
Since going off the grid, Alex told Ross he hates the weekend because he can't watch football.
He said: "I can't begin to explain the feeling of a Saturday in the football season.
"It will be a Saturday afternoon in January, a league one or two football match, or something like that.
"Online just has a completely different impact to it, its phones, its laptops, smart tellies, it's just crazy it just so scary."
Ross was stunned when Alex admitted he racked up £127,000 in one weekend, but lost it in 26 minutes.
It only took 10 or 11 spins for Alex to watch his money disappear.
However, he told Ross he is determined to overcome his addiction.
He said: "I can never bet again. I would class myself as an addict if I was clean thirty years down the line - still class myself as an addict."
Ross, who was moved by Alex's story, told the the camera: "His addiction has cost him everything he holds dear."
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