Football legend Paul Gascoigne revealed he is homeless and battling alcoholism in a shocking interview broadcast on Tuesday, March 5. The 56-year-old appeared on the High Performance Podcast and said: "Last year wasn't brilliant, was off and on for a couple of months."
The former England star, who has struggled with alcohol, gambling, and mental health issues for many years, is currently living with his manager Katie Davies, in Poole, Dorset, according to the Mirror.
After attending an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting with a friend, he admitted he found it "okay" and added, "they're alright, harmless." Gascoigne has been in and out of rehab many times and in 2021 he confessed that he will "always be an alcoholic."
READ MORE Gogglebox stars' rarely seen partners and families - tragic accident, 40-year marriage and TV appearance
READ MORE Katie Price's real name is actually very long and she's 'never heard of anyone else' with it
Gascoigne recalled a time when he phoned Katie in tears, reflecting on his past experiences with jail, rehab, and drug use. Despite his challenges, he was asked to be an ambassador for his country, leaving him unsure whether to laugh or cry.
The legend revealed that he no longer enjoys drinking and stays away from pubs and bars: "I used to be a happy drunk. I ain't anymore. I'm a sad drunk. I don't go out and drink, I drink indoors."
He admitted: "People know Paul Gascoigne but Gazza, no one knows. Even me sometimes."
Gascoigne reflected on his career and the serious knee injury he suffered playing for Tottenham against Nottingham Forest in the 1991 FA Cup final. He told the podcast: "I've spent a lot of years being down, when I did my ligaments and then my kneecap, I missed four years of football."
"I would've got 100 caps (for England). I try not to get down because the world's already down enough. And when I'm really down, that's when I pick up a drink to cheer myself up. I don't think I let any managers down, or the players or the fans, you know."
"If there was anyone I let down, it was myself. But more the drinking side of it, when I finished playing. If I want to make it a bad day, (all I need to do is) go down the pub. If I want it to be a good day, get my fishing rod out and go fishing.
"It's not the drinking, it's the afterwards. Looking at my phone after and seeing 30 messages or missed calls, I know I'm in trouble. But I've been alright."
