Ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton appointed CBE at Windsor

Ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton has been appointed CBE, awarded for services to football and the prevention of gambling harm.

Shilton, who lives near Colchester, attended a ceremony at Windsor Castle hosted by the Prince of Wales.

The 74-year-old – England’s most-capped player, with 125 – was a gambling addict for 45 years until his wife helped him quit eight years ago.

“Prince William was quite interested in this [gambling addiction] because it’s like a silent illness and it’s on the increase,” he said.

The former goalkeeper also reassured Prince William that the England men’s team can win Euro 2024.

“I think we can win it. I really do. I think we’ve got the players,” Shilton said.

“You just need that little bit of luck at the right times, a bad refereeing decision or something like that.

“I mentioned this to Prince William, who is obviously a massive football fan.”

Shilton had already become an MBE and then an OBE. His England career took him to the World Cup finals of 1982, 1986 and 1990.

His club career included playing for his hometown team Leicester City before moves to Stoke City, Nottingham Forest (where he won a league title and two European Cups), Southampton, Derby County and Plymouth Argyle.

The footballer said Jude Bellingham “is a real plus” for England and Phil Foden has “suddenly really matured”, while “Harry Kane is at his peak, he is a fantastic player”.

Shilton’s wife, Steph Shilton, is an addiction counsellor and the couple campaign on the issue together.

She attended the ceremony with her husband and their family.

“There are so many gambling companies now and so much advertising that people will get drawn to it,” Shilton said.

“It doesn’t just affect the person who’s addicted, it also affects the people around that person.”

The NHS addiction support website outlines what help is available.

GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline, providing information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling problems – advisers are available 24 hours a day on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via web chat.

Gamblers Anonymous provides a list of support meetings for problem gamblers in Scotland here and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland here.

Further sources of support can be found on the BBC Action Line page.