Former rugby player Steve Thompson MBE who played for England said that he can't remember winning the World Cup in 2003.

Mr Thompson has had an impressive career, playing over 70 times for England and at one point being their most capped player.

Now, 44 years old and suffering with early onset dementia, he struggles to remember some of his greatest achievements.

Speaking to The Hard Shoulder, he said: "I was in my early 40s then. I just thought it was normal not to be able to remember big chunks of your life."

He can't even remember being in Australia for the competition.

'Financially, it has kicked me in the nuts'

It is believed that Mr Thompson's dementia is a result of a series of head injuries he endured throughout his sporting career.

The impact of his diagnosis has been both social and financial as it's meant he has had to give up some work.

"Suddenly people knew what I'd got", he said.

"Suddenly I couldn't work on site because if someone else got injured, they might not get paid out because I was on site."

He feels that people look at him differently now.

"It was sort of like, 'well, if you're supposed to be looking after him, how can you remember you're looking after him", he explained.

"By me coming out and talking about it, it financially has kicked me in the nuts big time."

Family

A father to four children under 10 years of age, Mr Thompson is trying to prepare for the future.

"I've had my life now. That's the way I look at it", he said.

"I just want to try and make myself the best for my kids."

"They shouldn't have to go through something like this with someone so young."

"My big thing is, when they're older, I want my kids to come and see me, not have to come and see me."

Main image shows Steve Thompson speaking at a festival. Picture by: Sam Hardwick/Alamy.