Mersea's Peter Shilton receives CBE from Prince William at Windsor Castle

LEGENDARY England star Peter Shilton has been given his CBE at Windsor Castle for his work to tackle gambling addiction.

The 74-year-old, who holds the England men’s team appearance record with 125 caps between 1970 and 1990, was honoured on Wednesday for his services to football and the prevention of gambling harm.

Shilton, who lives on Mersea Island and has already been given both an MBE and an OBE, was named in the King’s New Year’s Honours list last year.

Shilton beat his gambling addiction in 2015 and has spent the years since campaigning.

He has spoken publicly about being addicted to gambling and credits his wife Steph, an addiction counsellor, with helping him quit.

Support - Peter Shilton with wife Steph and their family (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Speaking to the PA news agency on his visit, he said: “Prince William was quite interested in this (gambling addiction) because it’s like a silent illness and it’s on the increase.

“There are so many gambling companies now and so much advertising that people will get drawn to it.

“It doesn’t just affect the person who’s addicted, it also affects the people around that person.”

The former England goalkeeper also assured the Prince of Wales that England can win Euro 2024 with a “little bit of luck” during his visit to Windsor.

He said he discussed England’s Euro prospects with William because the prince is a “massive football fan”.

Smiles - Peter Shilton was made a CBE at Windsor on Wednesday (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

He said: “I think we can win it. I really do. I think we’ve got the players.

“You just need that little bit of luck at the right times, a bad refereeing decision or something like that.

“I mentioned this to Prince William, who is obviously a massive football fan, and said to him ‘yeah I think we can win it’.”

The former footballer said Jude Bellingham “is a real plus” for England and Phil Foden has “suddenly really matured”.

“Phil Foden is becoming a complete player, whereas maybe the last tournament he was not quite there,” he said.

“Very talented always but on the mental side and maturity I think he’s there now.

“Harry Kane is at his peak, he is a fantastic player.

“We’ve got some good understanding in the team, you compare it with a lot of the other teams and we’ve got a good formula.”