He's more of a gobsheen than previously suspected. Armed with one large shovel, he dug himself a large one with this diatribe in the presence of a Sun journalist yesterday:

"I've let down my wife... Tess is extremely upset about this and we're working through it. But in some ways I'm glad this story has come out. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I knew it was getting silly. I'm never going to do it again and hopefully I can clear the slate clean and start again. I'm so sorry. I've been an idiot and I've let my family down. I've been stupid and daft but I'm not a sex pest. I've only done this with four or five girls (?!) and I've known them all well - they've been friends or work colleagues (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP DIGGING NOW) I know a single guy can get away with things like that but I'm married and I understand this is off limits."

And yet, he continued: "They would always start off pretty innocent with some banter, just like you'd talk in the pub. I've got a lot of female friends who I text a lot - people I've known for years, from college or university. Sometime I'd say, 'I saw you last night and your dress was sexy'. But sometimes I'd get an inkling that it was going in a different direction and the fool in me would go down that road. It's the progression of a conversation (eh, not always, mate). You start talking about work stuff and it leads from there. Sometimes people would send me sexy pictures and I was surprised. I thought it was a bit weird and extreme. Skype was just like a text message with visuals for me. I never stood naked in front of it. I can't tell you why I do it. It just happens and the stupid and daft person in me lets it carry on."

And here's the predictable crux of it: "It would be showing off to the lads. I'd say, 'Look what I just got sent'. I suppose it's like fantasy land, just words. It's not like I'm a sex pest. It's not like I've met someone and started sexy texting them. These people are friends and people I've worked with. I'm a very social person. It was always 50/50 and I don't give my number to every Tom, Dick or Harry. I thought it was harmless banter and just larking around."

Of him "just larking about" behind the mother of his two children's back (if that make's sense...), he said: "Part of me says she was suspicious on a couple of occasions. I think she may have seen some of the more harmless ones. I did think I should be careful but you don't think it will escalate... I've got the most beautiful family and I'm embarrassed I've put them through this. I'll do whatever it takes to resolve the situation. I'm so sorry."

What it will take is extracting yourself from the juvenile womb you've been allowed reside in since infancy. Grow up, man.