Badminton star Gail Emms admits she can't find a job or pay the bills

Writing on the Mixed Zone website she says: "I have a big pile of them now. Letters from my bank to say I have missed yet another payment for either council tax, phone or utility bill.

"Some months are good and I get to do what I love best, inspiring kids in schools, motivational talks at 'women in business' events. But it gets harder each year to keep my profile and get bookings."

Gail Emms is best remembered for her silver medal in the mixed doubles at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. With partner Nathan Robertson, she won gold at the World Championships in 2006, the Commonwealth Games in the same year, and the European Championships in 2004.

She was awarded the MBE for services to badminton in 2009.

She has been a sports presenter on a variety of television and radio programmes but says she wishes she had started making plans for other work options earlier.

Read Gail Emms' article on Mixed Zone.