Homeless newsreader: My battle with drink (From The Argus)

Homeless newsreader: My battle with drink

8:12pm Friday 14th December 2007 in News By Jess Bauldry

A former newsreader who became homeless when he racked up thousands of pounds in credit card debt today told of his battle with drink.

Ed Mitchell, 54, faced down criticism from the public that alcoholism was behind his tragic fall from grace.

He admitted to The Argus yesterday that he had received counselling for his addiction to alcohol but he said it was not solely responsible for his current position.

In an incredible riches to rags story the once high-flying television presenter went from earning £100,000 per year to sleeping on a bench on Hove seafront in the space of seven years.

Last week he told The Argus that spiralling debts caused by credit card borrowing were responsible for his downfall. He began with a £50,000 debt, which got out of control when he was made redundant from his job as news anchor for the American owned news station CNBC.

The father of two, who has read the ten o'clock news for ITN and worked for Sky News and the BBC, divorced from his wife two years ago.

He owed £250,000 to credit card companies when he was declared bankrupt three weeks ago.

Mr Mitchell's story touched scores of readers as offers of work, accommodation and financial donations came pouring in and struck a chord with readers who shared stories of debt nightmares on The Argus website.

But it also attracted allegations that there was more to his story than just credit card debt.

He told The Argus: "I was a journalist and in that industry alcohol plays a role, including with me.

"I've been in rehabilitation and I've had counselling for alcoholism.

"But, it's not a major part of the way my life went. With redundancy and divorce you think how do I block this out? It is inevitable.

"But being homeless and street sleeping, there's not a single street sleeper that doesn't self medicate and drink to help put themselves to sleep."

Friends and former colleagues were shocked by Mr Mitchell's personal circumstances when they read about him in The Argus.

Friend of 25-years Jayne Selman said: "So many people who know him said they were shocked to hear he was sleeping rough.

"He did have a problem and I understand he needed help. I know he has been sick.

"He's a lovely man and I know his ex wife. It's fantastic that he is OK. I can't bear to think of him living on the seafront."

Former colleague at CNBC Peter Hoskins said: "Ed is an extremely talented broadcaster and I learnt a lot from him. I still tell younger colleagues about what a great bloke he is and was shocked to read about what has happened to him."