Manchester City former player and commentator Richards revealed that he had quit drinking to work hard to lose weight after gaining weight and suffering from a back injury.

Richards admitted that he had developed the habit of drinking, but did not do enough exercise to balance the next day. Richards, 37, explained his recent decision while communicating with Alan Shearer and Gary Reinkell on The Rest is Football podcast, where Richards was sitting in the living room of the latter's house, while Shearer spoke to them via video link.

Sheer said, "He's in your vestibule, and I have a feeling that the guys are going to drink red wine later."

Lingkel replied, "He quit drinking! And I also opened a good bottle of wine, as you can see here."

Richards said, "Seriously, Alan, I've gained too much weight."

Sheer joked, "I started to feel this myself, and I was thinking about this at the time."

Richards continued, "He really hates it, right! The situation is that I drink it." I got drunk, but I didn't go to exercise the next day. I had an epidural injection in my back and I had an epidural injection. "

" So my back is basically a waste. I have an epidural injection now. I don't drink anymore. I feel good and I feel more energetic."

Shearer added: "Oh no, this is not a good sign. If you are more energetic, damn, are you not energetic enough?"

Richards was famous for his physical fitness and strength when he retired. He still insisted on going to the gym. He had previously participated in Sky Sports' collaboration with Optimum Nutrition, and he was performing bench presses in the promotional video. Before

, Richards also appeared shirtless (pictured above) while filming the League of Their Own special road trip with Jamie Redknapp.