Paul Gascoigne has spoken candidly about his lifelong battle with alcohol, admitting he will never stop drinking and “cannot change”, despite years of attempts to conquer his addiction.
The former England star, now 58, has spent decades in and out of rehabilitation centres, with his career and private life plagued by a battle with alcoholism.
In a new interview, Gascoigne reflected with striking honesty on his past struggles and his inability to live without drink, insisting that he now accepts who he is.
“I have not changed, I cannot change, I would not know how to change,” he told The Mirror.
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“I will probably die as Gazza. But I have nothing to hide.
“The whole country knows what I have done now. I drank because I wanted to drink. I regretted the consequences afterwards.”
Gascoigne, who earned 57 England caps and became one of the nation’s most gifted but troubled footballers, said his drinking was not fuelled by bitterness or anger but by habit and impulse.
Paul Gascoigne believes his drinking has impacted his family
| PA“I would get drunk for the sake of it, not because I hated anyone,” he said. “Now if I have a relapse, I do not go for weeks on end like I did before.”
Looking back, he said the consequences of his addiction caused pain for those closest to him.
“I must have hurt my mum and dad,” he admitted. “But you do not think about it. The person you hurt the most is yourself.”
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Paul Gascoigne is considered one of the best English footballers of all time | GETTYGascoigne’s candour recalls the tragic paths of other footballing greats whose brilliance was matched by self-destruction.
“People mention Jimmy Greaves and George Best,” he said. “I am not them, but I am only trying to live for today.”
His new autobiography, Eight, promises to show “the real Gazza for the first time”, offering a deeply personal account of the highs and lows of his extraordinary life.
From the joy of England’s Euro 1996 run and his unforgettable goal against Scotland to the darker years that followed, Gascoigne remains one of British sport’s most captivating figures.
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, he shared one of his more infamous tales from his playing days in Scotland, recalling how he “necked brandy” at half-time before inspiring Rangers to victory in the 1996 League Cup final.
“Yeah it was half-time,” he said.
Paul Gascoigne recently admitted to necking brandy at half-time during a football match
| PA“It was in the cup final. The manager asked if I’d had a drink and I said no. And he went ‘go and get one’. So I had nine brandies and went out and I scored two in the cup final," he admitted.
"Got man of the match. But I wasn’t allowed to the after-dinner party because I’d already had my drinks at half-time.”
Gascoigne, who played for Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio and Rangers, remains a figure of enduring affection in British football.
Fans will be hoping he stays healthy amid his ongoing personal turmoil.