SCARLETT Moffatts mum nicked 50,000 from the Im A Celebrity winner to fund a gambling habit.<\/p>\n
Gogglebox star Betty, 50, blew a fortune in online casinos during lockdown and needed rehab.<\/p>\n
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She squandered a fortune then panicked as she plunged deeper and deeper into debt.<\/p>\n
Betty, who has worked for millionaire Scarlett since her 2016 Im A Celebrity win, took cash from her daughters accounts expecting to pay it back with a change of luck.<\/p>\n
But the big win never materialised, leading to a heartbreaking confession that left Scarlett betrayed and confused.<\/p>\n
But caring Scarlett, 30, realised her mum needed counselling and vowed to help Betty, who checked into rehab. <\/p>\n
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Scarletts dad Mark, 54, also rallied to his wifes side. Scarlett is still aiding her mums treatment for her gambling problem.<\/p>\n
A source told The Sun on Sunday last night: It has been a traumatic few months.<\/p>\n
Betty started out having the odd flutter here or there as a bit of fun to break up lockdown boredom.<\/p>\n
But before she knew it, and as these things so often do, matters spiralled out of control.<\/p>\n
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She was losing thousands every week, and became desperate and panicky. In sheer desperation, she took money from Scarletts account.<\/p>\n
But she obviously always thought she would win it back, and be able to repay her.<\/p>\n
Of course, she never did win the money and the next thing she knew, Scarlett realised her account was missing tens of thousands, and was horrified. <\/p>\n
\"Initially she didnt understand and obviously felt betrayed and confused.<\/p>\n
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But once Betty broke down and explained what had happened Scarlett couldnt have been more supportive.<\/p>\n
The whole family has had to give Betty the emotional and physical support she needs.<\/p>\n
Scarlett has done lots of research into the perils of online gambling and hopes that by this story coming out she and Betty can help others in a similar position.<\/p>\n
Betty is still getting therapy, but has all the love and support of her family to beat this.<\/p>\n
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Shes determined to come out the other side and for some good to emerge from this heartbreaking situation.<\/p>\n
Companies House records last October showed Scarlett had become a millionaire after landing lucrative podcast and fashion deals. <\/p>\n
She has previously described Betty as her best friend and mamager, a nod to her career advice.<\/p>\n
Betty owns shares in her daughters company Northern Unicorn Productions.<\/p>\n
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Latest accounts for the firm, registered to her parents address, show it held 211,000.<\/p>\n
It paid dividends of 240,000 last year, 240,000 in 2019 and 448,000 in 2018 to directors, of which Scarlett is the only one.<\/p>\n
Scarlett and Betty shot to fame seven years ago commenting on the weeks TV shows on Channel 4s Gogglebox.<\/p>\n
Betty in her fluffy slippers and brown ponytail was a regular on the family sofa in County Durham.<\/p>\n
Unshakeable bond<\/p>\n
By Clemmie Moodie<\/p>\n
SCARLETT and Bettys easy rapport made them Gogglebox superstars.<\/p>\n
Their bond was evident and no TV fakery.<\/p>\n
I sat next to them at a wine-fuelled LGBT awards in London a couple of years ago.<\/p>\n
Scarlett was as outgoing as youd imagine, Betty was surprisingly shy but evidently proud of her daughter.<\/p>\n
Since 2017, the former shop worker has, in effect, been her daughters PA.<\/p>\n
But in lockdown, what started as a bit of fun some online betting turned into a hellish addiction.<\/p>\n
Like most gamblers, she prayed just one more win would fix all her problems.<\/p>\n
Scarlett and Betty have been through the mill but their bond will ensure they get through this together.<\/p>\n
Quick-witted Scarlett, then a 23-year-old student disability adviser, soon became a favourite.<\/p>\n
She left to star on Im A Celebrity in 2016, beating comic Joel Dommett to be crowned Queen of the Jungle. That victory saw her profile skyrocket. <\/p>\n
ITV2 bosses signed her to co-host Im A Celebrity spin-off show Extra Camp.<\/p>\n
Scarlett then joined her friends Ant and Dec on ITV1 hit Saturday Night Takeaway in 2017.<\/p>\n
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Despite her soaraway success, she has stayed close to her parents and younger sister Ava-Grace who featured on some Gogglebox episodes.<\/p>\n
Scarlett, who is in a long-term relationship, moved out of the modest family home to a new pad in nearby Bishop Auckland.<\/p>\n
Last year the family appeared in Channel 4 show The British Tribe Next Door, which featured them living in a remote Namibian village.<\/p>\n
On Bettys 50th in August, Scarlett surprised her with an inflatable pub in her garden.<\/p>\n
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It's a suicide risk<\/p>\n
By Will Prochaska, of Gambling With Lives<\/p>\n
NEARLY 20 per cent of people already experience gambling harm either directly or through the addiction of another.<\/p>\n
Industrialised online gambling products are aggressively promoted by gambling operators with very little regulation.<\/p>\n
Products such as online casino games carry addiction rates as high as 50 per cent and are responsible for a disproportionate amount of harm, resulting far too often in suicide.<\/p>\n
This is all the more concerning as lockdown has resulted in more people who gamble moving online where the riskiest products are pushed.<\/p>\n
Gambling disorder is a clinically diagnosable psychiatric condition, which requires an understanding that its not the fault of the person suffering, to deliver a public health approach to the risks.<\/p>\n
If someone is suffering from gambling disorder we encourage them to seek help from either the NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic or the NHS Northern Gambling Service.<\/p>\n
NEED HELP? CONTACT THE NHS PROBLEM GAMBLING CLINIC EMAIL: gambling.cnwl@nhs.net<\/a> PHONE: 020 7381 7722<\/p>\n Betty sported a glamorous makeover and blonde hairdo for the drinks and disco event.<\/p>\n They restricted the guestlist to just family amid Covid restrictions.<\/p>\n Scarlett wrote on Instagram: Happy birthday to my mam, my best friend, my mamager.<\/p>\n I love you all the world and feel very lucky to have you by my side each day.<\/p>\n I know your weekend is going to be full of wit, laughs, drag queens and Prosecco.<\/p>\n There has since been a noticeable absence of pictures of Betty on Scarletts social media accounts as the Gogglebox matriarch battled her demons.<\/p>\n 11<\/p>\n Remember to gamble responsibly<\/p>\n A responsible gambler is someone who:<\/p>\n A source said gambling problems took their toll on Betty who appeared gaunt towards the end of last year.<\/p>\n Scarlett herself has faced body insecurity issues and online trolls.<\/p>\n In an interview with The Suns Fabulous magazine before she turned 30 last year, she confessed to calling the Samaritans several times after winning Im a Celebrity.<\/p>\n She said: I felt like I wanted to disappear but wasnt quite sure where. It was never that, I dont want to be on this Earth it was more that I wanted to escape.<\/p>\n Scarlett bravely admitted that therapy massively helped her, as well as regular exercise.<\/p>\n And she revealed Ant and Dec helped bring her back to life telling her to be you and not listen to expert advice.<\/p>\n 11<\/p>\n Online gambling has surged during lockdowns over the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n Experts believe there are 340,000 gambling addicts in the UK, with a further two million at risk.<\/p>\n 11<\/p>\n 'TREMENDOUS WOMAN'Richard Branson reveals mum Eve has died after coronavirus battle at 96<\/p>\n LOOSE NEWSLoose Women reveal Charlene White as show's new anchor after Andrea McLean quit<\/p>\n BUNDLE OF JOYAshley James has 'given birth to a baby boy' with boyfriend Tom Andrews<\/p>\n FERRY PERCULIARChloe Ferry accused of photoshop fail as fans spot her mate's 'wonky arm'<\/p>\n KISS ME QUICKHolly Willoughby kissed FIVE times by Stephen Mulhern in kids' TV throwback<\/p>\n SUITS YOUMichelle Keegan looks incredible in velvet suit for Brassic wedding<\/p>\n Nearly half of people playing casino games online are addicted or at risk, according to research by the charity Gambling with Lives.<\/p>\n International studies have linked gambling to four to 11 per cent of suicides, equivalent to between 250 and 660 UK deaths per year.<\/p>\n There is no suggestion of any police involvement relating to Bettys use of Scarletts cash.<\/p>\n GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAILexclusive@the-sun.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Scarlett Moffatts mum Betty robbed star of 50,000 to fund her online gambling habit - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SCARLETT Moffatts mum nicked 50,000 from the Im A Celebrity winner to fund a gambling habit. Gogglebox star Betty, 50, blew a fortune in online casinos during lockdown and needed rehab. 11 She squandered a fortune then panicked as she plunged deeper and deeper into debt Continue reading