Viewers tuning into the latest episode of Lorraine Kelly's talk show were greeted with a blast from pop past in the shape of S Club 7 star Jo O'Meara. The singer spoke to the host about her struggle with being addicted to playing fruit machines during her fame with the pop group.
In her first TV interview since revealing she had a gambling problem when she was younger, Jo told Lorraine on her self-titled ITV show: "It became a bit of a thing. With the band, it was so busy and so hectic, I just used it as a bit of escapism to run away with myself for a little while.
"I got caught up in the flashing lights and getting the three sevens or leprechauns, or whatever it would be. It was just a bit too much fun."
Jo, now 43 shot to fame in the late nineties in S Club 7 alongside bandmates Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole, Rachel Stevens, and Tina Barrett. The chart-toppers amassed four UK number ones, sold 10 million albums worldwide, had their own television series and had their own mini-band, S Club Juniors.
Lorraine, 62, asked if the band knew what was happening and Jo said: "Yeah, they did. When we used to travel around the county, it was like, ‘Where’s Jo?’ Everyone would know - ‘Oh, she’s on the fruit machines.’ But it was just what I did."
Jo never experienced a 'rock bottom' moment but eventually came to realise that 'you never win'. She said when Lorraine asked when she knew it was getting a bit much: "I don’t think I ever did. When I look back I think, ‘I shouldn’t really have been doing that’, because what you learn as you get older is you never win."
Lorraine asked if she ever won and she said: "You never win… that’s why I’m here today, to highlight it because it’s everywhere." Jo went on to explain that her continuing to gamble wasn’t about money, but the excitement of playing the machines. "It was about beating the machine, getting the three sevens, the excitement of that was making me want to do it even more," she admitted.
Discussing how she got over her addiction, Jo said: "I thought one day, 'That’s it, I’m done'.' I haven’t looked at a machine once, but I understand it’s not like that for everybody. You do get caught up in it. But there’s help there."
Jo also spoke about being up for a S Club 7 reunion and revealed: "I don’t know. I really, really don’t know. I think if it ever was to happen, I’d definitely be up for doing it. I’m ready to reach for the stars! It’s a case of getting seven bodies all together in the same room, we’re all so busy and it’s pretty full on when it’s S Club 7."
GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via web chat at www.gamcare.org.uk, providing information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling.
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