Ian Wright breaks down in ITV documentary charting his rise to Arsenal and England striker

The former England international opens up about his difficult upbringing

Ian Wright pictured in the documentary (ITV)

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright is the subject of a new documentary charting his rise from a difficult childhood to playing for England.

In the ITV4 show, which will be screened this evening, the former Crystal Palace player struggles to contain his emotions as he discusses the harsh treatment he was subjected to by his stepfather.

"Dad left when I was about 18 months and it was one of those where I saw him in like ten-year spells. And my stepdad came in, I must have been about five, six, that's when I remember him from, and he wasn't a nice fella," Wright tells the interviewer.

Wright, who reveals he has had counselling to help deal with the anger he still feels, tells of how as a child he was ordered to turn away from the television when Match of the Day, something he "lived for", would come on.

"And I could not understand, even with having nothing, how somebody could come in and treat a child like my stepdad treated me. And it's feelings that I harbour that even with the counselling it's very hard to try and shake them off. It's very, very hard."

Ian Wright: Nothing To Something is on ITV4 at 10pm on Tuesday 11 March