Football Saved My Life

Bravo commissioned a 10 part sports reality show entitled Saved by the Ball from Granada Productions. On completion the name of the program was changed to "Football Saved my Life". This program took a group of 15 dysfunctional men and turned their lives around through the medium of football.

The men all faced one or more present day life issues, including too much drinking, too much smoking, poor diet, anger management, depression, confidence and gambling.

Ex-premiership footballer and self-confessed ex-alcoholic, Neil Ruddock took the manager position, along with Justin Edinburgh at his side as coach. Using a team of experts including Dr. Adam Carey from Celebrity Fit Club fame (Nutrition and Diet), Angie Dowds from TV's (Personal Training) and Keith Power (Sport psychology and mental health), the team got this group of everyday guys fit, healthy, happier and on the road to a better future.

The dysfunctional men;

Pimp

Ben Brady - Self confessed Pimp from South London. Tries to live a champagne lifestyle, but maintains this glamorous life by very unglamorous means – selling clutter on the internet. But it beats having a proper job, something Benn hasn’t held down since he was a nipper.

Landlord

Daniel is a cheeky West Ham supporter who has lost his silky skills and replaced them with beer and fags.

Flatscreen

Ex-boxer Gary is a motormouth builder who desperately wants to bring some structure into his life. He gave up football last year and what was once the body of a promising boxer has begun to slide.

Billy Joel

Extrovert and even a little camp. Graham is an Elton John and Billy Joel tribute singer and has been in show business most of his adult life. He loves the limelight, the applause and the adoration but like so many performers, behind his stage persona there hides an insecure and deeply confused man.

Lemar

Ike is a well spoken, public school educated, designer clobber wearing, single man of Nigerian descent. He lives a decadent life, eating out at posh restaurants and shopping at the classiest places. But Ike is not a happy person despite his luxurious existence.

Mingle

Micheal "Mingle" Morgan is a 28 year old white van man from East London, who lives with his parents and younger brother. Cheeky and happy go lucky, Mingle desires to get into shape in order to, in his eyes, make something of himself.

Others

*Mad Dog
*Fireman Sam
*Salad bar
*Sicknote
*The Head
*Puddles
*Puke
*Liberace
*Mo
*Arafat

Celebrity football stars were introduced during training to give the "team" tips and tricks to help them on the road to their full 90minute match planned for the final episode at Dagenham & Redbridge football ground.

The series consists of nine one hour episodes and one 60-minute special. The 10 part show was broadcast in late 2006 and has been repeated several times since.