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Gambling, his divorce, why being manager of Wales football team is his dream job and why he loves living in Swansea: John Hartson talks openly and honestly to journalist Dewi Llwyd in a special in-depth interview for his Sunday morning programme on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Cymru - Dewi Llwyd ar Fore Sul.

With footballers' exceptionally high salaries and the number of transfers negotiated during his successful career, one would expect John Hartson to be a very wealthy man.

This isn't the case, however, as Hartson tells Dewi Llwyd in the programme on Sunday (15 March) at 8.30am.

"I did have a lot of money when I was younger... and I did enjoy gambling, and even things like bingo. I don't gamble thousands of pounds now like I used to. You can gamble everything and lose everything so it was a very dark time for me," Hartson reveals.

"I would like to have more money. Yes I do have a nice house and I drive a nice car but I don't have millions and millions of pounds in the bank."

After retiring from professional football over a year ago, John Hartson has continued to work in the sports world as a television pundit.

In a career that saw the 33-year-old Welshman play with Luton, Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry City, Celtic and West Brom he admits that he has a few favourites.

"I've been lucky to play with some of the best footballers in the world," John explains. "Ian Wright was special with Arsenal, Henrik Larsen was fantastic for Celtic and Ryan Giggs – he was brilliant."

The former forward admits freely however that he wasn't the most disciplined of players on the football pitch.

"I did have a reputation for being a bit hot-headed and for being booked – one or two of them were stupid... or maybe six or seven," he laughs.

As someone who gained 51 caps for Wales and is known for speaking his mind, John is more than happy to share his views on John Toshack, the national team's current manager.

"I don't think we'll qualify for this championship. Toshack has had four years... and it's only my opinion but if it was up to me I would have done things differently."

Hartson completes his training to be a manager in the summer and admits that becoming Wales manager would be his dream job. When he was a child he used to dream of being a professional footballer but, as he hasn't forgotten his roots, he doesn't mind being a familiar face.

"I like to think that I'm an ok guy and there's nothing much wrong with me. I come from a council estate and I have a lot of time for people. When I was young I used to practice my autograph. If people come up to me now and ask for my autograph it's a pleasure to do it."

Hartson is now back living in Swansea and feels like he's realised one of his dreams.

"My plan was always to come home. I always wanted to finish playing and come home. As I've gone through a divorce and the children now live with their mother in Llanelli it's important for me to be close to them. I'm very happy to be back living in Swansea."

For the interview in full, tune in to Dewi Llwyd ar Fore Sul, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Cymru, on Sunday 15 March 2009, 8.30am, or listen again at bbc.co.uk/radiocymru.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales Press Office