The former Arsenal and England maestro made headlines when he broke down in front of the nation in 1995 and admitted he was hooked on drugs, drink and gambling.

And despite fighting his addiction ever since, Merson said he felt fine with being in that sort of environment when opening Better, in thecentre:mk.

He told the Citizen: "I am involved with Better through a friend of mine and he just asked me to come down and open the shop. I haven't got a problem with being here. It's no problem for me."

Merson was constantly watching the racing on the big screen, but didn't make a bet while at the store, which was also being opened by former Tottenham defender Graham Roberts.

And a host of fans came to wish Merson well and have pictures taken with the Sky Sports pundit.

The former star has made an appearance in the city before – as player-manager for Walsall – his side drawing 1-1 with MK Dons in 2004. And he was nothing but complimentary when asked what he thought about the city's football club.

"I think the chairman has done his homework – it was one of the biggest cities in the country without a football team – and the area has done well to back the club as well.

"The amount of people they have got into the stadium recently is phenomenal – you just hope they can keep them coming.

"But people watch winning teams so if they carry on doing well next season, which I expect them to, they could be booming."