EXCLUSIVE: Andy Carroll reveals his and wife Billi Mucklow's 'worry' about keeping their kids safe in the public eye and says the family may head to America where nobody knows them
Andy Carroll has opened up about the 'worry' of his and wife Billi Mucklow's children living in the public eye and the family's lack of privacy in an exclusive interview with MailOnline.
The footballer, 34, and TOWIE star 35, share three children, sons Arlo, eight, and Wolf, five, and daughter Marvel, three. He also has two children Emilie Rose, 14, and Lucas, 13, from a previous relationship.
Andy said: ‘All these doors have opened up for me through football and I’m grateful for that but it has challenges. People see the money but not the sacrifices'.
He went on: 'I say a lot to Billi, my wife, that I wish I could just walk down the street and be me. No one really sees me. I’m always keeping up appearances'.
'The only sanctuary I have is at home. That’s the only place I can be me. You’re always reserved, you’re always working, you’re always wary. It’s not really a way to live, is it?'.
Candid: Andy Carroll, 34, has opened up about the 'worry' of his and wife Billi Mucklow's children living in the public eye and the family's lack of privacy in an exclusive interview with MailOnline
Family: The footballer, 34, and the TOWIE star 35, share three children, sons Arlo, eight, and Wolf, five, and daughter Marvel, three. Andy also has two children Emilie Rose, 14, and Lucas, 13, from a previous relationship
Andy revealed despite living and being well known to locals in the market town of Epping he and his family still struggle for privacy.
'I’ve still been papped walking the dogs, with the kids, having dinner in a restaurant. Someone takes a picture of me and Billi having a glass of wine in one of the restaurants. You’re always worried'.
He then went on to share the advice Joe Cole gave him about hopping the pond after the former West Ham star made a similar move in 2016.
‘[He] said to me that going to America was the best thing he’s ever done because he’d walk down the beach in his shorts and flip-flops and play volleyball.
'He was just “English Joe”. He was relaxed. He loved it. That’s what life should be'.
Other stars who have headed to the US include Adele, The Beckhams, Gary Oldman and Ioan Gruffudd.
Andy, who is currently playing for French team Amiens, admitted he was enjoying the break from celebrity obsessed UK.
'Here [in France] I can walk into the bakery and get a pain au chocolat and no one’s saying, “How was the game? Can I get a picture?” Here I feel like I’m normal. I just wanted to get out. Be free. Be me.’
Hard work: Andy said: ‘All these doors have opened up for me through football and I’m grateful for that but it has challenges. People see the money but not the sacrifices'
Candid: He went on: 'I say a lot to Billi, my wife, that I wish I could just walk down the street and be me. No one really sees me. I’m always keeping up appearances'
Famous: Andy admitted 'I’ve still been papped walking the dogs, with the kids, having dinner in a restaurant. Someone takes a picture of me and Billi having a glass of wine in one of the restaurants. You’re always worried'
Speaking about the move across the channel he said: ‘I was at Newcastle from seven years old, I made my debut at 17. I just thought, “You know what, if I don’t go (abroad) now then I’ll never go”.
'I had another season at Reading. I wasn’t playing and I spoke to the manager. He wanted legs up top which is something I don’t have. I was going to say “anymore” but I don’t think I ever had them!'
‘I wanted a challenge. A challenge in a completely different country. A fresh start. I spoke to my agent and said, “Get me a club abroad”. I came here and it was the one. It’s a one and half hour drive to Calais and I can get the shuttle back to Epping (the family home)'.
‘Here I can take my kids to the zoo here and they’re not saying, “Come on dad” because people are asking for photos or autographs. There’s a little pub around the corner where me and a couple of the boys went to watch Newcastle beat PSG the other week. What a game! No one said a word to me.”
