RUSSELL Whalley has made a brave decision to talk publicly about the gambling addiction that cost him £200,000.

And it is a step the company director should be commended for.

Mr Whalley describes the pain of gambling addiction as worse than being an alcoholic or a drug addict.

He became hooked on virtual roulette machines, spending hours daily betting up to £100 a time.

Over four years he spent £200,000 and signed up to a series of loans that he kept secret from his family. He realised he needed help as he filed a form that would have forged an loan application in his wife’s name.

But thanks to his family’s support and that of Gambling Anonymous, he has turned his life around.

It is easy to judge and believe it will never happen to you.

But such an addiction is an illness, and should be seen in that way by society.

Mr Whalley has since used his ordeal to help others, becoming a leading member of the support group.

One of his main reasons for telling his story is to highlight the support available to addicts.

And if people are moved to seek help, then at least some good will have come from his ordeal.