Paul Gascoigne reveals he doesn't have his own home as ex-England hero back at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

Paul Gascoigne reveals he doesn't have his own home as ex-England hero back at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

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Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 05/03/2024

- 19:39

Updated: 05/03/2024

- 19:41

The former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder has spoken candidly about his struggles

Paul Gascoigne doesn't have his own home and is staying in the spare room of his agent's house as he continues his battle against alcohol.

The former England international has revealed he is back attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and has opened up on his struggles with booze.


Gascoigne is widely regarded as one of England's greatest players of all time, making 57 appearances for his country in a 10-year international career.

But he has faced constant struggles with his mental health and alcohol addiction since he hung up his boots as a player two decades ago.

Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne has revealed he is living at the home of his agent in Poole

High Performance

Gascoigne has been to a rehab clinic on several occasions in an attempt to ease his problems but previously said he will 'always be an alcoholic'.

And now, in an interview with High Performance, he has revealed he is living in the spare room of manager Katie Davies in Poole.

But it hasn't stopped him drinking, with Gascoigne admitting he is no longer a 'happy drunk'.

He said: "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.

"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. 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."

He added: "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. Last year wasn't brilliant, was off and on for a couple of months."

Gascoigne says he used to go to AA meetings 'all the time' and is attempting to go regularly again.

He said: "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.

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Paul Gascoigne misses playing football and barely talks about it in after-dinner talks

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"If I have a drink, I have one because I want one, it's not for any reason in particular. I don't blame anyone, I used to blame a lot of people when I was drinking.

"After going to the first couple of meetings, I did the 12 steps and one of the steps was to meet the person you blamed and apologise to them."

Gascoigne still misses playing football but barely talks about the game when he is booked for after-dinner speaking.

He said: "When I do these venues, I hardly talk about football, more the crazy stuff I used to get up to. I've got to get straight in and get them laughing.

Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne says he is attending AA meetings again

High Performance

"There's a few times when I've cried on stage. You miss it on a Saturday, you know, entertaining people. I got such a f*****g buzz from it and you miss that.

"I can be emotionally soft. It doesn't take long for us to cry sometimes. I keep a lot of stuff in, stuff I should share but get scared of sharing with people. I don't think I'll ever grow up, which I don't mind you know?

"I'm proud of what I've given people. I gave nearly a million quid to 10 different charities and called them to keep it quiet.

"I've never (given up). I think the time I'll give in is when I'm in a wooden box. Apart from that, I'll keep on fighting on."

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