At 16, a national newspaper front page said I was on 5,000 a week. It wasn't true. It was very difficult to deal with and it really changed the course of my life. It attracted a different kind of attention' Joe Cole on the nonsense story'

"Soon, though, I ended up on the front page of a national newspaper, with the headline '5,000 a week and he is just 16'. That was difficult, especially as it wasn't true I wasn't on 5,000 a week. It was probably a slow week and they got a nonsense story. It's hard to explain to people now, but making the front page of a national newspaper meant that you were effectively in everyone's front room in the country. After that, everyone began to change towards me. It was very difficult to deal with and it really changed the course of my life."

"It was the first time in my life that I'd met middle-class kids, whose parents had proper jobs. I met people from up north, people with different accents. The confidence I got from that time was really helpful."

Joe Cole rose to prominence as a talented English footballer after progressing through West Ham United's youth system and spending 13 years with the club. Early selection for two years at the FA's School of Excellence at Lilleshall accelerated his maturity and gave him confidence through exposure to diverse social backgrounds. He became one of Chelsea's first signings under Roman Abramovich, winning multiple trophies. A false national newspaper headline about a £5,000 weekly wage at 16 generated intense media scrutiny, altered how people treated him, and significantly affected his personal and professional trajectory.

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