Andy Carroll Says Other Footballers Have Reported Sexual Assaults After His Own Disclosure

Footballer Andy Carroll has stated that other prominent figures in the sport have contacted him to report their own experiences of sexual assault, following his public disclosure of a similar ordeal. Carroll detailed his own traumatic assault in his new book, "Owning It," describing an incident several years ago where he was assaulted by Kevin Adams, a former contestant on the BBC dance show "Fame Academy."

Adams was convicted of sexual assault in 2023 and received a 20-month prison sentence for the attack. Carroll shared on "Piers Morgan Uncensored" that he believes he will "never get over" the assault. However, he added that the act of making his experience public has led to an outpouring of support and has encouraged others to share their own stories.

"People that I know really well that have come to me with similar things happened to them. People in football as well - well known footballers," Carroll said. "I've had phone calls off them saying 'thanks.' I've been beating myself up about it and as soon as I've said it the support I've received has been massive."

Carroll, who now plays for National League side Dagenham & Redbridge, recounted how the assault occurred after Adams invited himself over to his home to watch a boxing match. Carroll stated he began to feel lightheaded and suspected he may have been drugged. He said he went to bed, and subsequently woke to find Adams attempting to assault him.

"I sleep naked and when I wake up this guy is under the duvet trying to give me a blowjob," Carroll wrote in his book. He reported that he then physically retaliated and ordered Adams out of the house.

Adams was found guilty of sexual offenses and imprisoned. He was also placed on the Sex Offender Register and barred from entering the village where Carroll resided. During the trial, Adams attempted to claim he was the victim, but the judge dismissed his defense as an "incredible tale."

Prior to his conviction, Adams ran the Kevin Adams Academy, a children's dance school in Harlow, Essex, which ceased operations in 2022. Carroll expressed the difficulty he faced leading up to the book's release, as he had not informed his parents or friends about the assault. He described a period of panic and self-isolation when his abuser's name was about to be revealed.

"Until two weeks ago when it came out still in the back of my head I was like, 'when is it going to drop? When is the name going to come out?'" Carroll said. "It was really, really difficult. So when the name came out I kind of freaked out and I was just like, 'I don't want to speak to anyone.' And I shut myself away."

He noted the support received from his current team, Dagenham & Redbridge, and stated that positive social media comments have encouraged him to continue speaking out. Carroll joined Dagenham in 2025, making 16 appearances and scoring six goals. He previously played for Premier League clubs including West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Liverpool, and represented England nine times.