Graeme Souness fights back tears as he reveals he’s swimming the channel for the Debra charity

Graeme Souness has hung up his microphone to swim across the English channel for a cause close to his heart.

The Liverpool and Scotland legend left his role at Sky Sports at the end of last month following the Reds’ 4-3 win over Tottenham, ending his 15 years with the broadcaster.

Now, the Scotsman has given an emotional interview to reveal what he plans to do now he’s ended his time as a TV pundit.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the 70-year-old explained he would be swimming the channel to raise money for the Debra charity, which supports the 5,000 people in the UK suffering with Dystrophic Recessive Epidermolysis Bullosa.

The rare genetic skin condition, otherwise known as ‘butterfly skin’, causes the skin to tear or blister at the slightest touch.

Debra is close to Souness’ heart following his meeting with 14-year-old Isla Grist from the Black Isle, near Inverness, who he met four years ago.

“It’s the most horrendous disease. If you were affected by it you’d wake up every morning and think ‘why me’,” Souness, who was close to tears, explained.

“And then the parents have to deal with that, and that’s why we’re doing it.”

Souness is aiming to raise £1.1million for Debra and will swim the channel alongside the teenager’s father, Andy.

The pair’s 21-mile swim from England to France will be for Debra’s ‘A Life Free of Pain appeal’ that looks to clinically test drug treatments to improve the lives of those like Isla.

“It’s the cruellest, nastiest, disease,” Souness said.

“This is a very special young lady and she gets me in tears every time.”