Andy Gray says he considered ending his life after he was sacked in 2011 over sexism scandal

Andy Gray admitted to being in a “dark place” in a TalkTV interview with Piers Morgan on Monday, in which he opened up about his own suicidal thoughts.

Gray was sacked from Sky over a sexism scandal and revealed that although he was aware of the mistakes he had made which had kicked him out of Sky Sports, he was ‘unable to calculate it’.

The former professional footballer then confessed that if not for his family “I don’t know” what would have happened as he discussed his battle with mental health.

“I suddenly found myself in a very dark place,” the 66-year-old told Morgan. ;I knew I had done something wrong, of course I did, but I couldn’t calculate it. My head was gone. If it hadn’t been for my wife, I don’t know what would have happened.

‘I was about to walk down the garden, had a pond, with a bottle and some pills one day. I was so bad.

‘People who know me will think I’m kidding…awful [time]. I couldn’t get out of it. For two weeks I couldn’t leave the house, just surrounded by press and media. Really weird – but I’m getting over it now.

Andy Gray (left) admitted to being in a ‘dark place’ after being fired by Sky in 2011 in an interview with Piers Morgan

“You learn who your friends are when things like this happen.

“But we’re done now, and I’m done now!”

Morgan’s interview took place in Doha, Qatar against the backdrop of the ongoing World Cup, where Gray and his friend and colleague Richard Keys have moved.

Former Everton player Gray (left) and Richard Keys (right) began leading football coverage for the new Sky Sports channel in 1991.

In January 2011, Keys, 65, resigned and Gray, 66, was sacked after they both made derogatory comments about female referee Sian Massey and the fitness of women to officiate at matches – for which they then apologized.

In June 2013, the duo signed with Al Jazeera to present football coverage from Doha, where they also continue to present their Talksport show.

But Gray wasn’t the only one to reveal a struggle with his mental health in the wake of the scandal, more than a decade later.

When asked by Morgan if he was aware of Gray’s feelings, Keys admitted, “Yeah, I was there too!” Piers, you have no idea – he’s right, you can’t explain, you look back now with a clear head and say ‘whatever you think’!”

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit samaritans.org

A Mail on Sunday investigation revealed an audio tape of Keys and Gray talking about female referee Sian Massey-Ellis (pictured) and other off-air assistant referees on January 22, 2011