Andy Carroll Cancels Book Signing After Revealing Sexual Assault

Andy Carroll canceled his book signing and Q&An at Dagenham Football Club just hours before the event on Thursday due to unforeseen circumstances.

The event was scheduled for 7 pm at Victoria Road Stadium and included a book signing and live Q&A for his new £22 book, "Owning It," released on Thursday. The club confirmed the cancellation and stated ticket holders would be refunded. Carroll, a former England striker, revealed in his autobiography that he was sexually assaulted by a celebrity mate in 2021.

He described the incident as traumatic, humiliating, and horrendous. Carroll, 37, stated he only decided to include the detail at the last minute after discussions with his publisher and girlfriend, Lou Teasdale. The assault occurred at Carroll's home during his second spell at Newcastle United. A friend of his then-partner visited his home to watch a boxing match and planned to stay overnight.

Carroll said the attack happened while he was asleep. He threw the man out of the house and knocked him unconscious when the man attempted to re-enter. Carroll then called the police and was left sobbing in the arms of his children's nanny. He gave evidence in court, describing the process as humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous.

Carroll, who played for England from 2010 to 2012, chose to waive his automatic right to anonymity as a victim of sexual assault. He wrote in his book, "Scary to talk about but it’s made the person I am today as much as any of the good stuff." Carroll also branded his marriage to ex-wife Billi Mucklow a car crash in his new book, accusing her of backtracking on a move to France. He spent two years in France alone, during which his drinking reportedly spiraled.