LOS ANGELES (AP) — An Ohio homeless man whose silky voice made him a web phenomenon is headed to rehab for alcohol and drug dependency after an appearance on “Dr. Phil,” show representatives said Wednesday.
Ted Williams agreed to enter a private facility after a lengthy one-on-one interview with Dr. Phil McGraw set to air Thursday, show spokeswoman Stacey Luchs said in a written statement.
Williams’ wife and family will also appear to discuss what they call his persistent drinking and a Monday disturbance at a Los Angeles hotel where police briefly detained Williams and his daughter after a heated argument.
Williams was staying at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa while in town to tape several TV appearances. Police called the incident “minor” and said there were no signs of physical abuse.
Family members said the dispute was over Williams resuming drinking.
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“If Ted is ever going to get better, he’s got to be honest with himself and admit he’s addicted to drugs and alcohol,” McGraw said in a statement. “I’ve told him it’s not going to be easy and it’s going to take a lot of hard work. It might be a long journey for him, but this is a big step in the right direction.”
The appearance will be Williams’ third on the show this week.
Meanwhile back in his home state, Williams has been subpoenaed in the case of a woman who was accused of drug abuse, authorities said.
The Madison Press in London, Ohio, said Williams was a passenger in the woman’s car in May and is wanted at a Feb. 11 hearing over whether deputies’ search of the car was legal.
Laura Bogrees, who represents the woman, declined to comment to the newspaper on the woman’s relationship to Williams.
Williams, 53, trained to be a radio announcer but found his life derailed by substance abuse and prison time in the 1990s.
Last week he found instant fame after The Columbus Dispatch newspaper posted a Web video of him. Viewers were enthralled to hear a deep, honeyed professional voice coming from the shabbily dressed man.
Since then, he has appeared on many news and entertainment shows, done a TV commercial for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and was offered an announcing job with the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.