ERIC CLAPTON - CLAPTON: I PREFERRED BOOZE TO DRUGS

Rock legend ERIC CLAPTON opted to cultivate an alcohol addiction over a heroin one in his wild days - because he was unable to socialize when high on the class A drug.

The LAYLA hitmaker, 59, experimented with the lethal narcotic during his first years of fame but ultimately decided to stick to drink instead - so he could have a social life.

He explains, "I went straight on to hard liquor. From the devil to the deep blue sea.

"But drinking felt better, because with heroin I couldn't leave the room. I'd take the phone off the hook and it would just be me and the TV.

"With alcohol, I could be in the pub and be gregarious."

Despite Clapton favouring alcohol over drugs, he never felt illegal substance-taking was the more dangerous of the two vices.

He adds, "Oddly, I never felt I was in danger with heroin.

"I found alcohol to be much more dangerous physically."