01 February 2024 , 23:04
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England icon Paul Gascoigne knows better than anyone the pressures faced by footballers playing at the highest level.
During his career Gazza received as much attention for his problems off the pitch as his brilliance on it. Which is why he is so well-placed to offer advice and sympathy to troubled Marcus Rashford.
Like Paul, Marcus is blessed with a wealth of talent and a huge heart. But also like Paul he has not always found it easy to cope with being in the spotlight.
It is easy to rush to judgement. Yes, footballers are very well paid and, on the surface, live glamorous lives. But we should also remember that, like many young people, they make mistakes and do not always live up to the expectations placed on them.
Marcus needs support, space and sympathy to find his form again.
Man Utd's January transfer window winners and losers as 'new Scholes' makes exit
Derisory offer
Last month the Government promised a “full and fair” compensation package to Post Office Horizon scandal victims.
This was an opportunity for ministers to rectify the wrongdoing suffered by hundreds of sub-postmasters and postmistresses.
It now turns out their word can be no more trusted than that of the Post Office bosses who repeatedly denied there was anything wrong with the IT system and then vindictively pursued its innocent employees.
Alan Bates, who led the campaign for justice, says the compensation offered by the Government is “cruel,” “offensive” and “derisory.”He is not alone in receiving an unsatisfactory offer.
Mr Bates should not have to keep fighting to receive a settlement which reflects the injustice he and his colleagues endured.
Cat out of bag
After months of speculation, ITV bosses have finally picked Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard to be the new co-hosts of This Morning.
It’s great that a Cat has been given one of the cream jobs in television.