Manchester United legend Andy Cole travelled to Ireland for Friday’s Late Late Show.
The former striker, who won the treble with United in 1999, opened up on his life threatening illness and how former team-mate Roy Keane visited him during his recovery at hospital.
In 2017, Cole was diagnosed with a serious kidney condition and had to undergo a transplant.
Speaking to Patrick Kielty on the Late Late Show, Cole said (via The Mirror): “It’s a hard daily chore. Just trying to stay on top of it mentally. About six years ago I had a kidney transplant. It totally came out of the blue and it rocked my whole world.
“Getting used to the medication was really tough, there’s good days and bad days. There are days when I can’t get out of bed. In 2017 my nephew donated his kidney. My own kidney capacity was down to seven percent. I was sleeping 14 or 15 hours per day. Getting up was a chore, walking was a chore. I was up to 17 and 18 stone with all the water my body was retaining.”
When you encounter difficult moments in life, such as illnesses and break-ups, it can have a huge impact on your mental health. Cole added that he had mental struggles of his own.
“Know that I’d been a professional footballer, I’d been fit all of my life and then all of a sudden a random illness comes around and changes your world.
“They told me I’d have to be on medication for the rest of my life and I thought, ‘I can’t do that’.”
The Irish audience were delighted to hear that Roy Keane showed his decency by visiting Cole in hospital.
“Roy came in and brought me about five car magazines. The nurse said to him to not make me laugh as I had tight stitches on my stomach. Within about five minutes he had me rolling around. I was in so much pain but Roy being Roy he just continued to make me laugh.
“I’ve always had a fantastic relationship with him. He was an unbelievable captain, but away from the football pitch he’s always had time for me.”
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Who else but the lovely Roy………very much cares about his fellow footballers and team mates, I love him to bits! Get well soon Andy Cole xx