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He was one of the greatest goal scorers of his generation, with his fairytale rise from the building site to international football making him one of the most recognisable and popular faces in the game.
Even in retirement, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has endeared himself to fans worldwide, having carved out an impressive second career as a pundit. For 17 years, he delighted viewers as an outspoken member of the Match of the Day team, before leaving the BBC show at the end of last season.
However, as a man in demand, he also has a starring role on ITV’s football broadcasts and will be part of the channel’s FA Cup coverage this weekend, alongside Roy Keane and Mark Pougatch.
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Away from the cameras, Wright – who has a reported net worth of around £15million – is a devoted family man, having fathered eight children including former Premier League footballers Shaun and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
As a young man, the future England international adopted Shaun, who was the son of his then-girlfriend Sharon Phillips, before fathering Bradley with her. Shaun went on to play for Chelsea, Manchester City and England, while Bradley carved out a successful career in the MLS.
Wright also had a third son, Brett, before marrying his first wife Deborah in 1993, with whom he had two more children, Stacey and Bobbi-Lee. He also has a daughter, Coco, who he supports but with whom he does not have contact.
His marriage to Deborah ended in 2004 after it emerged that Wright had been unfaithful, something which he has stated publicly that he hugely regrets.
In his autobiography, the footballer wrote: “I got caught up in all of that and cheated on my first wife, Debbie, which destroyed my marriage. That was a really horrible period. If there’s ever been a time in my life I wish I could change, that would be it.
“I didn’t experience an enormous amount of love from my mum when I was a child, so I’ve had to learn what it is, and learn how to be happy and at peace.
“I’ve put other people through horrible experiences along the way. If people think that’s selfish, then I’m really sorry.”
However, Wright found love again and married his wife Nancy Hallam in 2011. The couple have since welcomed two daughters named Lola and Roxanne.
“Nancy’s the perfect woman and I can’t stand to be apart from her and our daughters,” he added. “My love for them is unconditional and my upbringing means I have a lot of love to give now.”
The 61-year-old also has a footballing grandson, with Shaun’s son D’Margio Wright-Phillips now representing Belgian top-flight side Beerschot having previously been on the books of Manchester City and Stoke City.
Last year, however, Wright suffered a devastating double tragedy as his brother passed away, weeks after he also lost his friend and former Arsenal teammate Kevin Campbell.
Campbell, who also played for Everton and Cardiff City, passed away in June aged 53 due to multi-organ failure caused by a heart infection, having spent a month in hospital before his death. A couple of weeks later, Wright’s brother also died with the tragic losses understandably taking their toll on the football icon.
“It’s been a tough summer,” Wright said on The Overlap. “Obviously my man Kevin Campbell, and than a couple of weeks later losing my brother. It’s just been one of those where you just have to get it on with it, man.
“I’m driving along and I’m thinking of my brother. He was a really good cricketer, a really good footballer. He didn’t come up to the house as often as I’d like, but that’s because he’s just a loner. You’re constantly trying to get in touch with him to do something and then, bam, he’s gone.”
Fighting back tears, he added: “I’m going to Kevin’s (funeral) tomorrow and then my brothers on the 30th (August). It’s tough man. Now I feel in control of it but I know at some stage later on, it just catches you. It’s been a tough summer.
“It helps being among people. Grieving is a process. You never know when it’s going to come and it’s not like it ever leaves you. It’s going to come at some stage. Even like now, I just don’t know what to say. I just miss them both.”