Andy Carroll Cancels Book Signing Amid Revelation of Sexual Assault

Footballer Andy Carroll has canceled a planned book signing and Q&A session at Dagenham Football Club, citing "unforeseen circumstances" just hours before the event was scheduled to begin.

The event, which was to feature Carroll discussing his career and personal life, was set to take place at Victoria Road Stadium. Ticket holders are to be refunded, the club confirmed.

This cancellation follows Carroll's recent revelation that he was sexually assaulted by a friend of his former partner. The attacker, described as a "celebrity mate," was subsequently jailed for three years after a court case.

In his newly released book, "Owning It," Carroll details the assault, which he described as a "traumatic" experience. He stated that he decided to include the incident in the book "at the very last minute" after extensive discussions with his publisher. Carroll, who played for England between 2010 and 2012, wrote that the assault occurred a few years ago, and only a few people were aware of it before its publication.

Carroll recounted that the assault took place one evening after a Newcastle United game when the individual in question invited himself over. He described feeling lightheaded after the individual mixed drinks and suspected he may have been drugged. Carroll claims he awoke to find himself being assaulted.

The book also touches on other personal aspects of Carroll's life, including his marriage to reality television personality Billi Mucklow. He characterized their marriage as a "car crash" and stated their relationship was already strained before they wed. Carroll also detailed his time playing abroad, explaining that a planned move for his family to join him in France did not materialize as agreed, leading to a period of isolation.

Carroll and Mucklow, who share three children, married in 2022 after becoming engaged in 2014. Their marriage ended less than two years after the wedding, with Carroll confirming divorce proceedings were underway. The book also mentions Carroll's relationship with celebrity hairstylist Lou Teasdale, which began after his separation from Mucklow.

Carroll's book details various personal experiences, including the assault, the breakdown of his marriage, and his relationship with Teasdale. The book signing cancellation comes amid the public discussion of these revelations.