National treasure Paul Gascoigne on heartbreaking memory that still haunts him

01 February 2024 , 23:12

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National treasure Paul Gascoigne on heartbreaking memory that still haunts him

Paul Gascoigne has joked that he is now regarded as a ‘national treasure’ despite his longstanding battle with drink and drugs.

Gazza admitted that his addiction to booze is an everyday struggle. The dad-of-one goes to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Bournemouth, Dorset. But he has found love and support from the fans who come to his regular personal appearances. At his “audience with” shows he tells of his meetings with everyone from Pope John Paul II (while at Lazio), Elton John, Robbie Williams, George Clooney, Dustin Hoffman and Tyson Fury.

And he is intending to watch Fury’s heavyweight title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 17 after meeting the boxer. The star said: “I enjoy the audiences with the fans. People are always asking for selfies. They often say ‘do you remember the goal against Scotland at Euro 96? “I say ‘of course I do, I scored it.”

Gascoigne in 1990 (Getty Images)

Gazza in 2024 (Tim Merry/Mirror Express)

He joked: “I keep on telling Katie my agent that I am a national treasure now. I don’t see footie on TV as much now because I really miss the game. The Euro ‘96 semi-final against Germany, when I almost won it, I was an inch from scoring, I just cannot watch that. I get these stupid flashbacks, it is a nightmare, so I try not to think too much or dwell on the past. That gets me into trouble.”

Gazza's infamous dentist chair celebration against Scotland in 1996 (Mirrorpix)

Gazza is honest about his battle with the bottle, saying: “You know that you will relapse as an alcoholic. I was at an AA meeting the other day, there are so many who go to treatment centres.” He tries to do ‘three good deeds every day’ adding: “I am always willing to talk to people. I saw Prince William on a royal visit to Bournemouth and gave him a kiss. He recognised me and said he kept an eye on how I was doing. Keeping busy is the key. I never think that I have beaten my addiction. You have a bad day and you just have to get through it. Try and enjoy the good days when you can.”

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