Toxic, Neil Ruddock
Toxic, Neil Ruddock
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Toxic
Tackling 'Razor' and Finding the Real Me: Shortlisted for Autobiography of the Year at the Sports Book Awards 2025

Author: Neil Ruddock

Narrator: Neil Ruddock, Stuart Nurse

Unabridged: 6 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Headline

Published: 10/10/2024


Synopsis

SHORTLISTED FOR AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AT THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025

'Extraordinary . . . entertaining and inspiring.' Daily Express

'Neil's book has given me a new-found appreciation of how he used the "Razor" alter ego to mask what he was going through. The recent turnaround in him, both physical and mental, is a revelation.' ALAN SHEARER

'Love Neil Ruddock. One of the old school. He's honest and funny as f**k. A beautiful read and a strong bit of memoir. Well done son.' DANNY DYER

'You think you know "Razor" Ruddock? Well, think again. This is a courageous and fascinating autobiography by my ex-teammate, a book which will inspire so many others to confront their past and change their life.' ROBBIE FOWLER

'Neil has always been the life and soul of the party but I can't tell you how much Toxic has given me a more rounded picture of him. To have the strength and determination to transform his life is a special thing.' ROBBIE WILLIAMS

'Neil's book blew my mind. Now I understand my friend's journey to finally being comfortable in his own skin.' IAN WRIGHT

Neil 'Razor' Ruddock tells the inspiring and uplifting story of how he faced the battle of his life: to become a different person.

In this inspiring and uplifting memoir, Neil Ruddock charts his toxic journey of self-destruction, a path littered with food addiction, plummeting self-confidence and a dangerous relationship with drink which took him to the brink of death.

'Razor' was his caricature of the larger-than-life football hardman, a persona which turned from a natural extension of Ruddock's character to a comfort blanket to smother every mood, every emotion. When his front door closed, the laughter stopped. He was depressed and despairing. Football had institutionalised him. Talking about his inner feelings wasn't an option, owning up to mental health issues was an absolute no-no.

In a remarkable series of confessions, and with his trademark humour and brutal honesty, Ruddock recounts how he spiralled so far out of control that he lost sight of who he really was. No matter how he was feeling, he reached for the same old answer - the mask of 'Razor' and a big night out.

Following the fitting of a pacemaker and drastic stomach surgery, Ruddock has lost nine stones, 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.

Toxic tells the story of how Ruddock faced the battle of his life: to become a different person. No longer does he feel the need to be anything but his true self. As he now says: I'm half the man I used to be, but twice the man I used to be.'

About Neil Ruddock

Born in London in 1968, Neil Ruddock's professional football career spanned 466 appearances and 42 goals with eight different clubs including Tottenham (twice), 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.Ruddock is a regular contributor on talkSPORT radio.He lives in Kent with his wife and their two children.


Reviews

Goodreads review by anne ꣑ৎ‎ ✧ ˚. on January 27, 2025

this book was boring as hell and all over the place with the timeline, pace, plot, and the characters. the subplot felt hardly necessary, and the cat and mouse game between the mcs felt incredibly stupid (especially after finding out the twist in the later chapters). the characters were very two-dim......more

Goodreads review by Michael on October 13, 2024

Once you start reading this book you don’t want to drop it until you have finished it. Since the first chapter you will see the dominance, the love attraction of the characters, Devin and Hawk. Hawk will be the type of guy that is overprotective and his love is intoxicating to the point of dominance......more

Goodreads review by Cheryl on October 11, 2024

Devin a young woman turning 18 her parents throw a party where she meets up with her best friends brother Hawk who gives her the best gift she could ever receive. What Hawk doesn’t know is she has been stalking him for 6 years. But she isn’t exactly aware he was doing the same. But when they finall......more

Goodreads review by Sophia on October 25, 2024

Toxic♥🔥❤Amazing!! Omg!😍 😘Hawk and Devin💓 two amazing characters!! Omg! Devin being the most amazing hacker Sphinx . I was omg! At the surprise towards the end it so brilliant!! Loved it❤!I love the spice 🌶 ❤🔥 between the characters great chemistry. The story was incredible and super amazing!!! I love......more

Goodreads review by Cheri on October 13, 2024

Toxic by Milly Taiden pub 10/11/24 4 stars Hawk & Devan The author warns readers this is not her usual style. I did like it, however, it is different, and as some reviewers suggested it be a bit longer and more involved. This is a dark romance and not a PRN. I enjoy some shorter books due to the read......more