Entertainment
Ian Wright details moment his mum said she wished she’d had termination in harrowing childhood abuse documentary
Ian Wright recalled the moment his mum told him that she wished she had got a termination.
The Arsenal footballer opened up about his harrowing childhood abuse in a powerful new BBC One documentary, Ian Wright: Home Truths.
In heart-wrenching scenes, the 57-year-old visited his family home where he became emotional at the memories.
After discussing the way his step-dad had treated him, the athlete revealed his mum’s abuse.
‘My step-dad did some terrible things to me and my mum, but what made it worse was that my mum also took it out on me,’ he said. ‘She regularly beat me.
‘But it was the things she said that really hurt. What does come back to me, it was here, it was at this house, when my mum told me about termination, [that] she should’ve terminated me.
‘She didn’t just say the word, she said, “Ian, I wish I terminated you”. She said it a few times to me, I knew what it meant.
‘I remember I used to shout, “Well, why didn’t you then?” and run out of the house.
‘When you’re hearing something like that said, [at] eight-year-old, nine-year-old, that your mum don’t want you, it’s going to cause you a problem when you get older.’
Later in the episode, Ian opened up about his childhood to a specialist in trauma for adults – who suggested that he went through ‘severe emotional abuse’ at the hands of his parents.
‘I learned what the word termination meant because my mum was the first person to say that word to me,’ he added.
‘She used to tell me on a daily basis that she hated me.’
Fans watching on from home were devastated by the scenes, and flocked to Twitter to praise the England ace for shedding light on such an important topic.
What an excellent programme @IanWright0,’ a viewer commented. ‘Very honest and moving – highlighting such important issues. All credit to you.’
‘@IanWright0 what an amazing documentary,’ a follower agreed. ‘You wore your heart on your sleeve and gave us an emotional insight into the effects of abuse when growing up.
‘I hope your head feels emptier and your heart feels fuller #hometruths #bbc1.’
‘@IanWright0 so much admiration and respect, that documentary has really raised an Important journey some families go through,’ a Twitter user replied.
‘Continually talking about it openly can only help future victims of such abuse and hopefully end it!!!’
‘@IanWright0 what a fella, his willingness to show his vulnerability and explain the issues he dealt with and will continue to deal with….will help so many people watching this #hometruths,’ another penned.
One added: ‘#ianwright is an absolute legend in our house.
‘To think that he and many others experience domestic abuse by the very people that should make them feel safe, loved & nurtured is just heartbreaking.’
Ian Wright: Home Truths is available to stream on iPlayer now.
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To contact Childline, you can call their helpline on 0800 111, or speak to a counsellor on their website.
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