Former England star Paul Gascoigne was admitted to hospital after he was found having collapsed at home last week, according to reports.
Gascoigne is said to be in a stable condition in an acute medical ward, The Sun reported on July 20.
The ex-Newcastle United player’s personal assistant reportedly found Gascoigne. The newspaper quoted his PA as saying that Gascoigne wanted to thank “so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best”.
Gascoigne is expected to remain in hospital for several days.
Paul Gascoigne in hospital
The Sun reported on July 20 that Gascoigne had been rushed to hospital after being found semi-conscious at his home in Poole, Dorset.
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The report said he was admitted to an intensive care ward before being moved to an acute medial united. His condition was described as “stable”.
Steve Foster, who works as Gascoigne’s personal assistant and driver, is said to have found the 58-year-old on the floor of his bedroom. He said to The Sun: “Paul is in hospital, which is the best possible place for him to be right now.” He added that Gascoigne would, “like to thank everyone for the support he’s received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best”.
Paul Gascoigne life and career
Gascoigne is considered one of the greatest talents English football has produced in the past half-century.
An attacking midfielder, “Gazza” began his career at Newcastle United before joining Tottenham Hotspur, with whom he won the FA Cup in 1991, a year after finishing fourth in the Ballon d’Or standings. He sustained a knee injury in that final that he later said prevented him from having a longer career.
Gascoigne had spells with Lazio in Italy and Rangers in Scotland before returning to England to play for Middlesbrough, Everton and Burnley. He retired in 2004.
Gascoigne won 57 senior caps for England and played a starring role as they reached the semifinals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the final of Euro 96 on home soil.
Much of Gascoigne’s life has been dominated by battles with alcoholism and mental health struggles, which began during his playing career but became more acute following his retirement. He was reportedly sectioned under the Mental Health Act twice, in 2008 and again in 2014, and he has been treated on multiple occasions for his alcohol addiction.
In 2020, Gascoigne said he was “the happiest I’ve been for many years” after having anti-alcohol pellets sewn into his stomach, which would cause him to be sick if he used drink or drugs. Last year, he described himself as “a sad drunk” living in a spare room at the home of his agent.
