Paul Gascoigne breaks down in tears as he admits he's homeless and back in AA

06 March 2024 , 10:02

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Paul Gascoigne has revealed he is homeless and living with his agent

Paul Gascoigne has revealed he is homeless and living with his agent while continuing to struggle with alcoholism.

The England legend has been battling alcohol, gambling and mental health problems for years and is currently staying with manager Katie Davies in Poole. Gascoigne has been in and out of rehab many times over the years and admitted in 2021 that he will "always be an alcoholic".

And in an appearance on the High Performance Podcast, the 56-year-old has opened up about his struggles. "Last year wasn't brilliant, was off and on for a couple of months," he explained.

"I went to a meeting the other night so that was alright. Just an AA meeting. I went with a friend and that was okay. They're alright, harmless.

"I called Katie up in November a few years ago crying my eyes out. What I put myself through and other people, jail and rehab - taking cocaine off toilet seats - and then I'm asked to be ambassador for my country, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry."

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Gascoigne also admitted he is now a "sad drunk" and no longer goes out to pubs and bars to drink. "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 added.

"People know Paul Gascoigne but Gazza, no one knows. Even me sometimes. I've spent a lot of years being down, when I did my ligaments and then my kneecap, I missed four years of football.

Paul Gascoigne is back in Alcoholics Anonymous (Getty Images)

"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 flying 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."

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Matthew Cooper