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Sir Ian Botham has revealed he is undergoing treatment for impotence.

The cricket legend bravely revealed his bid to battle erectile dysfunction as he urged other men not to suffer in silence.

The 60-year-old, nicknamed Beefy, has reportedly been undergoing shockwave therapy on his private parts.

And he hopes by being upfront about his sessions of Vigore Linear Shockwave Therapy, he may help to remove the taboo surrounding male impotence .

(Image: Getty)

He told the Sun on Sunday: “What’s more embarrassing? This or going to a chemist and popping some pills and saying to your partner, ‘I’ll be with you in 20 minutes, I’m just waiting for this to work?’"

Erectile dysfunction (ED), known as impotence, is the inability to get and maintain an erection.

According to the NHS website, erectile dysfunction is a very common condition, particularly in older men.

It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree.

Physical causes include heart disease, diabetes and raised blood pressure. Alcohol, smoking and illegal drugs, as well as some prescription medicines, can also cause erectile problems.

(Image: Tim Anderson)

Botham reportedly had four “Test Match Special” sessions during the summer — one before each of England's clashes against Pakistan.

Joking about the 20-minute session, once a week for four weeks, he told the Sun on Sunday: "Once the ice is broken, you just get your kecks off and get on with it."

Sir Ian's admission comes as it was revealed a schoolboy became hooked on Viagra aged just 13 .

The boy tried the impotency cure after classmates warned him he would be “bad in bed” when he lost his virginity with his new girlfriend unless he took it.

The child – who had started watching porn on his smartphone at only 12 – ended up stealing hundreds of pounds from his parents to fund his addiction.

Soon he was taking up to six pills a night at teenage sex parties while his mum and dad believed he was out playing computer games with friends.

His addiction was only discovered when he owned up after finding he could not get aroused without Viagra. He has been given psychotherapy treatment.