SCOTT Thomas has revealed the desperate measures his brother Ryan took to save him from his gambling addiction as it spiralled out of control.

The former Love Island star and entrepreneur, 35, has opened up about his issues for the first time after teaming up with Gamble Aware in a bid to reduce the stigma around gambling addiction.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Scott told how Ryan, who was a leading figure on Coronation Street at the time, used his influence to ensure he couldn’t lose any more money in casinos.

He said: “My big brother Ryan has always been like my dad, so when I told him he supported me through it. He came to Gamblers Anonymous with me, stood outside. He was very famous at the time as well.

“This was before I did TV as well so I was a bit sad I was dragging him through that.

“He also barred me from all the casinos in Manchester. He knew all the managers. He was top dog in Manchester so he had the power to ban me. I was fuming. I didn’t want to go there to gamble but I couldn’t go there with mates after nights out.

“But again, it was the right decision, he did what’s best for me, and sometimes you need a bit of tough love.”

He continued: “I’m very fortunate I’ve got people around me who care about me and I think a lot of people will be surprised, whether it’s your friends family or someone who’s been through it, if you put it out there to the universe, you will find solutions. You’re not alone, that’s the big thing.”

Scott’s issues began when he was a history student at the University of Manchester.

He and his mates would end up at casinos in the early hours when the city’s night clubs closed and, at first, he was content with just having a little flutter, winning £20 here and there.

But one session in which he turned £20 into £1,000 on the roulette table changed all of that and sparked an intense desire to win big every time.

From then on he poured his student loan and scholarship into gambling in the hope he’d make major profits.

He said: “I remember gambling everything I had in those casinos to the point I’d wake up the next day and I’d be outside the bookies waiting for it to open trying to win back whatever I’d lost.

“It didn’t happen overnight, it was like a six month progression, just a bit of fun leading to me losing control, and it got to the point where it consumed my whole entire life. I was borrowing money off my student friends. I was borrowing money off family. They didn’t know what I was borrowing for.”

Scott said no one questioned why he needed the money because he was a straight A student who had received an academic scholarship and was deemed to be the “golden child”.

The more he lost, the more he felt a deep shame that stopped him confiding in his loved ones.

“It got to the point where I exhausted all my avenues to loan money,” he said.

“I didn’t realise I’d become an addict. It starts as a bit of fun but then it’s all consuming. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat. I was lying to people about where I was going – to my family, even my brothers – and the lows were horrific. It’s such a horrible addiction once you’re wrapped up in it because it affects your relationships.”

Eventually he couldn’t bear the burden of his addiction any longer and turned to supportive Ryan.

He continued: “It got to the point where I lost everything and owed a serious amount of money out. I remember the pivotal moment was when I told my big brother Ryan that I’d lost everything and was in a mess and had no other way out.

“Straight away I was relieved because it wasn’t my dirty little secret anymore.

“That’s the biggest advice I’d give to anybody and that’s what this campaign is all about. It’s OK to open up. As soon as I did that I started to find solutions.”

Just one session with Gamblers Anonymous, during which he laid out the extent of his problems and received a standing ovation, gave Scott the impetus to kick his gambling habit.

And he now hopes others will be able to learn from his mistakes.

If you’re worried about how gambling makes you feel, we can help. For free and confidential advice, tools and support, search GambleAware or contact the National Gambling Helpline, available 24/7, on 0808 8020 133.