‘I MISS FOOTBALL SO MUCH I CAN'T WATCH IT ON TV!'

FORMER ENGLAND LEGEND PAUL GASCOIGNE OPENS UP TO OK!’S LISA JARVIS ABOUT HIS TIME IN I’M A CELEB AND HIS HOPES FOR THE THREE LIONS IN EURO 2020

- LISA JARVIS

When we arrive at Paul Gascoigne’s Dorset home, he’s just returned home from a three-day fishing trip in the local lakes. But rather than being grumpy – he didn’t catch anything and has hardly slept – Paul, affectionately known as Gazza, is nothing but charming.

Despite his thick Geordie accent, Paul is very softly spoken, gentlemanly and looks well for his 54 years. While some of this is down to a touch of Botox, his stint in Italy’s I’m A Celeb... has clearly done him the world of good.

The ex-England and Spurs star admits the 12-week appearance was like “therapy” as he was without his beloved coffee, ciggies and mobile phone, while overcoming both the starvation and challenges left him feeling mentally strong.

“I’m really feeling good,” he tells us. “It was very tough, but it was good for me and I’m glad I did it. Now I want to do the Australian one!”

This month marks 25 years since Paul’s famous dentist’s chair goal celebration during the England vs Scotland match in Euro 96. It was a clap back to the press who called him a “drunk oaf with no pride” following a pre-match bender.

While Paul tells us it was all in jest, little did he know that just two years later his relationship with booze would spiral out of control and eventually lead him to have anti-alcohol stomach implants and treatment in rehab. His beloved dad, John’s, death from cancer in 2018 was a devastating blow and led to a relapse.