Seriously think he maybe suffering from ill health, he mentions about spending time with his family while he can, it maybe just because he's about 10 years away from average life expectancy, there maybe something more to it.
You would hope that he takes this opportunity to change his health a bit. I'm by no means small, now am I as big as him but even I at 27 feel some effects from being overweight and I'm working to change that. If I can feel those effects then goodness knows what someone the size and age feels.
He still smoking? When I was 13/14 and had my ST, used to get in the Milburn early for autographs. Caught him peeking out once, while the the Bolton players were having a wander on the pitch, having a crafty tab.