Richard Bacon thinks he's an alcoholic.

Richard Bacon

Richard Bacon

The 43-year-old TV presenter admits that excessive drinking has created "chaos" in his life, adding that, on reflection, he should have "gone to rehab" to get the problem under control.

Richard explained: "I find it very hard not to keep going ... if I have one drink, I want another, and another.

"I am jealous of people who only have one glass of wine and are content ... I just want the journey to keep going."

Richard - who was sacked from 'Blue Peter' in 1998 after he admitted to taking cocaine - confessed to drinking excessively when he's in a happy mood.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's 'Hooked' podcast, he shared: "I am almost at my most vulnerable when things are great ... I don't use [drink] to numb pain. If I am excited or happy about something, I am more likely to go too far."

Richard - who joined 'Blue Peter' in February 1997 - also explained how alcohol has driven him to use cocaine.

He said: "When I've been through periods of my life where I have been using cocaine, it's only [after] two or three drinks where I quite fancy that as well."

The veteran presenter - who currently lives in Los Angeles with his family - has been to a number of different Alcoholics Anonymous meetings over the years.

Richard admires the work done by Alcoholics Anonymous, but he added: "I never find that I really want to go."


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