A former Premier League football star died when he fell down stairs in a pub after play-fighting with his brother-in-law during an all-day drinking session, an inquest heard today.
Ex-Cardiff City and Aston Villa ace Peter Whittingham, 35, suffered a serious head injury after tumbling down stairs leading to a beer garden in Barry, South Wales in March last year.
Mr Whittingham was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and put on a life support machine, but tragically died more than a week later.
The father-of-two was 'happy drunk' after spending the day drinking and watching rugby on TV with family and friends, the inquest in Pontypridd heard.