Andy Carroll reveals abuse by Fame Academy instructor Kevin Adams

On 12 October 2026, former England and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, now 37 and playing for Dagenham & Redbridge, spoke on Piers Morgan Uncensored about the sexual assault he suffered at the hands of Fame Academy dance instructor Kevin Adams, the 59‑year‑old who was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court and jailed for 20 months in 2023.

Adams' conviction and restrictions

Adams, now 59, was found guilty of sexual offences at Chelmsford Crown Court and received a 20‑month prison term in 2023. The judge also placed him on the Sex Offender Register and barred him from entering the village where Carroll lived.

Carroll breaks his silence

After seeing Adams' name in publicly‑available court documents, Carroll decided to reveal the attacker in his new book Owning It and during an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored. "It was eating me alive inside for so long," he said, adding that the disclosure was "really, really difficult" and that he initially shut himself away. He later praised the massive support he received, noting that social‑media comments encouraged him to speak out.

Carroll also confessed that he will "never, ever get over that" but feels a degree of relief now that the truth is public.

Night of the assault

The assault occurred the evening after a Newcastle United match when Adams invited himself to watch a boxing match at Carroll's home. After a few drinks, Carroll awoke to find Adams under the duvet attempting oral sex, prompting him to "smack" the intruder, who then fell to the floor.

Adams later tried to claim he had been assaulted by Carroll, but the judge dismissed his defence, stating, "You spun a literally incredible tale in which you painted yourself as the victim."

Adams' public profile

Beyond the criminal case, Adams appeared as a coach on a BBC1 talent show in 2002 and later on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in 2021.

Carroll, now an assistant manager and forward for National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge, said the club's staff and players have been "fantastic" since his disclosure. He highlighted the encouraging comments from fans and teammates, and the surge of online support that has helped him cope.

While he acknowledges the trauma will never fully disappear, Carroll hopes that sharing his story will give others the courage to speak up and that the public will remain aware of such abuse.