Wrestler Saraya helped big brother with addiction

Roy Bevis said his sister Saraya supported him through an alcohol addiction

The older brother of the wrestling superstar Saraya said she was helping him recover from an alcohol addiction and that he would not be where he was today without her support.

Roy Bevis from Norwich, Norfolk, said she messaged him from California "for two months solid" when he found himself in a "really bad place" earlier this year.

The 42-year-old started drinking alcohol in his early 20s to mask the "traumas" of his childhood.

He said he had been sober for nine months, having previously gone on binge drinking sessions that "would last up to three days".

"She still messages me three or four days a week to make sure I'm alright," Mr Bevis added.

"If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be where I am today to be honest."

Saraya pictured with her family and the lead actors at the Fighting With My Family premiere

Saraya Jade Bevis, 31, became famous in the USA as the WWE wrestler Paige.

Her family inspired the 2019 film Fighting With My Family which starred Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

Saraya now wrestles for the rival company All-Elite Wrestling (AEW).

Mr Bevis, an English wrestler and former Fulham and Norwich City footballer, said he also had the chance to wrestle for WWE in 2008 after being asked to attend trials in the USA.

However, he later received a phone call to say that he would not be offered a contract as he had only been out of prison for a year.

"I went off the rails again for another two or three years," he said.

"That was my dream gone but, at the end of the day I’ve only got myself to blame."

'Learning to love'

Mr Bevis, who has three children, has spoken publicly before about his time in prison after being convicted of violence and drink-driving offences.

He said his family - particularly his dad, who is known in the wrestling world as “Rowdy” Ricky Knight - had also helped him recover.

"I’ve always hated myself. I looked in the mirror and I didn't like who I was," he added.

"I feel so happy in myself now. I love myself for the first time in my life."

Mr Bevis is training to fight his son Ricky Knight Jr. at a wrestling event at the Norfolk Showground next month.