Gazza flies back for 'one last chance': Football legend Paul Gascoigne back in Britain looking frail after a month in U.S. rehab clinic

  • Friends of the star say he is 'back on track' after month in rehab
  • Entered clinic after public meltdown at charity event in Northampton
  • Gascoigne, 45, is battling a drink problem

By Mail On Sunday Reporter

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Troubled soccer legend Paul Gascoigne returned to Britain yesterday after a month in rehab at a US clinic.

The 45-year-old former England player arrived at Heathrow from Phoenix, Arizona, looking tanned but thin.

A traveller said: ‘He looked fine and was completely unfazed when people took pictures. He looked very skinny but was calm and seemed well.’

Thin but sober: Paul Gascoigne arriving at his home yesterday looking frail

Thin but sober: Paul Gascoigne arriving at his home yesterday looking frail

Gascoigne hid himself under an umbrella as his driver whisked him off to what is thought to be another clinic where he will continue therapy.

The player had spent over a month undergoing treatment at the £7,500-a-week Cottonwood Clinic near Tucson, where he reportedly impressed medics.

 

They agreed to his early release and he returned to Bournemouth, where he will be monitored.

He was said to have been close to death in America but rallied and friends revealed that he had undergone a huge improvement.

‘He knows he’s been given one last chance,’ said one. ‘He’s unrecognisable from the man who went into the clinic.’

Celebrity friends of the former England legend, 45, clubbed together to help fund his treatment after he suffered a public meltdown at a charity event in Northampton in January.

Now Gascoigne has vowed to quit drinking.

A source close to the star told the Sun: ‘We’re just delighted that Paul’s back on track and coming home, where he can get back into his routine of doing the things he enjoys – without the booze getting in the way ever again.'

The footballer is now said to have pledged to quit drinking once and for all.

Emotional: The footballer has admitted drinking binges have almost killed him in the past

Emotional: The footballer has admitted drinking binges have almost killed him in the past

Rehab: Gazza is understood to be heading back to Britain after a month in a clinic in Arizona

Rehab: Gazza is understood to be heading back to Britain after a month in a clinic in Arizona

Following his shambolic appearance in Northampton, a former friend of the one-time midfielder released video footage of Gascoigne mumbling, groaning, and struggling to stay conscious.

His ex-flatmate Shane Abbott claimed Gascoigne was drinking two litres of gin and 15 cans of Stella Artois a day in the period leading up to his stint in rehab.

The 36-year-old also said he was taking up to 30 anti-depressant Valium pills daily and injecting cocaine.

After being admitted to the Cottonwood Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, Gascoigne was rushed to intensive care amid fears alcohol withdrawal could have triggered a major organ failure, the report in the Sun said.

Celebrities such as Chris Evans, Alan Shearer, Alan Sugar and Ronnie Irani have lent support to a Twitter campaign to raise the £100,000 needed to cover Gascoigne's treatment.

English players Frank Lampard, John Terry, Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere had contributed funds, while FA Charity the England Footballers Foundation also contributed £40,000 from the national team.

Glory days: Paul Gascoigne was one of the best football players of his generation

Glory days: Paul Gascoigne was one of the best football players of his generation

The campaign followed the former footballer's public appearance at An Evening With Paul Gascoigne held at Northampton's Park Inn Hotel in January.

Hundreds of audience members watched as he mumbled stories and swore repeatedly in response to questions from his agent Terry Baker, who was interviewing him on stage at the event.

Gascoigne began by announcing: ‘I’ve had a f****** hard month. F****** hell.’ He also seemed to sob, and repeatedly raised his hand to his face.

While holding the microphone with his right hand it shook so uncontrollably that he had to steady it with his left.

At one stage Gascoigne mumbled ‘I’ve been on a whisky diet’. One onlooker said he seemed to be ‘dying in front of our eyes’.

 

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