RAZOR-MATAZZ
Who is Neil Ruddock? Everything you need to know about the Celebrity MasterChef finalist
NEIL "Razor" Ruddock made a name for himself as one the toughest and most committed defenders in the England's top flight.
But after a 20-year footie career, the cheeky player is now in the final of Celebrity MasterChef. Here's what you need to know about him.
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He is currently on Celebrity MasterChef
Tonight Neil will battle it out against his fellow finalists in a bid to be crowned Celebrity MasterChef winner 2019 tonight.
He was one of 20 contestants on the show - including TOWIE's Joey Essex, Gogglebox star Dom Parker and professional dancer Oti Mabuse.
The former Liverpool ace has been causing havoc in the studio kitchen by stealing other people’s food then sending them videos of himself on the toilet.
A show insider told me: “Razor is eating everything, not just his own meals, but also the ones his rivals are cooking up.
“When he’s around it’s mayhem and bosses have never seen anything like it. And he’s sending these videos of himself on the loo to wind everybody up. He’s a brilliant signing.”
Razor documented his battle with food on hit ITV show Harry’s Heroes last month, where a group of ex-England internationals got into shape to play old rivals, Germany.
Who did Ruddock play for?
Born in Wandsworth, London, in 1968, Ruddock’s professional career may have spanned two decades, but it only yielded one trophy, a League Cup with Liverpool in 1995.
It was scant reward for a player who was recognised as one of the best defenders for England at the time.
As well as Liverpool, Ruddock played for a number of top Premier League clubs.
He saw success at the heart of the defence of teams like Southampton, Spurs and West Ham.
Ruddock's antics on the pitch made him a favourite controversial character in 1990s football.
When he faced French legend Eric Cantona in his post-suspension comeback match in October 1995, Ruddock sneaked over and pulled down his trademark upturned collar.
“He said, 'Come on Fatty, tunnel, tunnel' and I wanted to kill him," Ruddock later revealed.
In December 2018 he apologised to Andy Cole after breaking both his legs in a match in 1996.
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How Ruddock got his boxing nickname 'Razor'
It all goes back to October 1992 when the heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis fought the American Donovan "Razor" Ruddock at London’s Earl's Court.
When his teammates at Spurs saw the fight, there was only ever going to be one nickname for Ruddock from then on.
And so Razor Ruddock was born.
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Who are his wife and kids?
Ruddock tied the knot with model and TV personality Leah Newman in 2013.
The couple’s lavish wedding took place at country house Eastwell Manor in Kent in front of their two daughters Pebbles and Kizzy.
Ruddock, then 45, and Leah, who was 31 at the time, had been together for nine years but decided to
get married when their daughters were old enough to enjoy it.
The former footballer asked Rylan Clark-Neal, who he became close to in the Celebrity Big Brother house, to be ring-bearer.
Other stars who attended included Bobby Davro, Gillian Taylforth and Tricia Penrose.
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What other reality TV shows has he been in?
In 2004 Ruddock was back on our TV screens taking on the jungle in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Ruddock teamed up with his fellow campmates, Peter Andre, Mike Read and Lord Brocket to form the group the Jungle Boys.
Ruddock has also appeared on Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes in April 2006 where he came through the famous doors as Neil Diamond and sang Song Sung Blue.
More recently he entered the Big Brother house in 2013, finishing fifth after being the first housemate to be evicted in the final.
Ruddock is often seen on James Corden's panel show A League of Their Own.
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LATEST FOOTBALL
What is Harry’s Heroes: The Full English?
Ruddock is taking part in the ITV show Harry’s Heroes: The Full English.
The show pits a team of England legends from the 1990s against their German counterparts.
The veteran Three Lions side is being coached by former West Ham and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.
The two part show airs on ITV on March 18 and 19.
Redknapp is tasked with getting the team of unfit England footie heroes back in shape and back into the Three Lions shirts they wore with pride in their heyday.
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