Former footballer Paul Gascoigne has described “the pain” of knowing he might start drinking again, even though he recognises it might kill him.
A documentary about the former player reveals he is now addicted to sweets and spends £1,000 a year on anti-wrinkle jabs to counteract the ravages of drinking.
Gascoigne was followed by a film crew for three months for the documentary after his return from a treatment clinic in the United States where he overheard doctors say he might die.
The 46-year-old told the filmmakers: “I just remember one bit after the third day of being in hospital when he said ‘I don’t think this guy is going to make it’ and I sort of put my head up a little bit and I was like, tubes in my arms and an oxygen tank injecting round my heart and lungs and that.”
Gascoigne said he had been “lucky twice” after almost dying from drink.
Gascoigne, who lives alone in Bournemouth, described his addiction counsellors as “true friends” and said: “When I packed in football a lot of my mates disappeared.”
He also said he spent around £60,000 on “James Bond” gadgets which he says can spot if he is being filmed by hidden cameras.
Being Paul Gascoigne, which includes interviews with his parents, ex-wife Sheryl and children Regan and Bianca, airs on ITV at 9pm tonight.