Headline acquires Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock’s new memoir TOXIC

Headline has acquired Toxic: Tackling ‘Razor’ and Finding the Real Me, a memoir from ex-footballer Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock.

Consultant sports publisher Jonathan Taylor acquired world English language rights from James Wills at Watson, Little on behalf of Ben Thomas at Giant. The memoir, which “tells the story of how Ruddock faced the battle of his life: to become a different person”, will be published on 10th October 2024.

Toxic charts Ruddock’s journey of self-destruction, the publisher says: a path littered  with food addiction, plummeting self-confidence and a dangerous relationship with drink which took him to the brink of death.

It goes on: “Following the fitting of a pacemaker and drastic stomach surgery,  Ruddock has lost 10 stone, firmly pressed the reset button on his life, and found the strength to free himself of the shackles of the bloke he thought he needed to be in order to become the man he always knew he was.”

Neil Ruddock’s professional football career spanned eight different clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Liverpool and West Ham. Since retirement in 2003, his TV appearances have included “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!”, “Celebrity MasterChef” and “Harry’s Heroes”. He is a regular contributor on talkSPORT radio.

Jonathan Taylor said: “Neil’s journey is a truly intriguing one. His memoir is brave, uplifting and will inspire and encourage so many people to follow his example, confront their demons and start feeling like their true selves.”

Ruddock said: “I’m pouring my heart and soul into my book in the hope that my experiences will help others to tackle their pasts and get their lives back on track. I’m half the man I used to be, but twice the man I used to be.”

Wills added: “Neil is one of the great personalities in the game and his searingly honest book is funny, moving and end-to-end stuff. Press this book into the hands of all football fans and share with any men who want to make the right changes and come out fighting for the second half.”