Reality TV star Jack Fincham has suggested that he once spent almost £40,000 on gambling in a day. Jack, 33, has revealed this week that he has "blown" over £1 million on drugs, alcohol and gambling in the years since he rose to fame on Love Island back in 2018. He's described himself as an "addict" but is said to have started to 'turn his life around' at the end of last year. "I have blown more than a million pounds thanks to drugs, booze and gambling," he told the Sun. Discussing his experience with gambling, he said that he began playing blackjack in 2021 with £5,000 hands. He recalled once dropping his partner Chloe Brockett off for the Only Way is Essex filming and then spending £7,000 during the 40 minute taxi home.
Jack also suggested that "sometimes" he would spend more than £30,000 on gambling. He said: "Sometimes I got up to £40,000 winnings, but the next day I'd have £2,000 left and think 's***', I need to pay the rent.". He also shared that during a night away with Chloe last summer, he thought he had spent his "last penny". Jack - who said that he felt he had "messed up" his life at the time - recalled ordering several alcoholic drinks to the room and said he "started gambling" on his phone, "convinced" that he would win hundreds of thousands of pounds. He said he then thought he had "lost his last penny" but was so "off his head" that he hadn't actually "pressed the button". Jack told the outlet that he'd "had enough" at the time and felt like a "loser," with it reported that he ended up throwing himself over the hotel balcony.
During the interview, Jack said he wasn't able to say that Love Island "ruined" his life, adding that he "did that" himself. Jack told the outlet that there have been times where he has wished that he had never been in public eye, adding that "destruction" was "always" in him but fame and money "made it happen quicker". He's said to have started to 'turn his life around' at the end of December. Jack said that his "last drink" was on Christmas Day when he had two Desperados. Jack said that at New Year there were "no drugs or booze" for "the first time" in his "adult life," and he said that that feels "amazing".
The interview comes after it was reported last month that Jack had been sentenced to six weeks in jail after his Cane Corso dog, Elvis, attacked two people. As previously reported, he pleaded guilty to two counts of being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog, with one of the incidents causing injury. However, he was then freed on bail, pending appeal. Alongside his sentencing, Jack was ordered to pay £3580 to the courts, including a £200 compensation fee to one of the victims, which also includes a £50 compensation fee to a second victim. A payment plan was set up for Jack to pay £400 a month after he's released after prosecutors said he has 'no savings.'.
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch. Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help. If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk.
