Paul Gascoigne is recovering at home after being discharged from hospital following a health scare.
There were fears for the former England midfielder, who won 57 caps and is regarded as one of the country’s most gifted players of all time, after it emerged on Sunday that he had been taken to hospital near his home in Dorset.
Gascoigne, 58, was found collapsed in the bedroom of his home in Poole by Steve Foster, his close friend and personal assistant.
Foster took the former Newcastle and Tottenham star — who also represented Lazio, Rangers, Everton, Middlesbrough and Burnley — to be assessed and he was found to be struggling with a throat condition. He spent the weekend under observation after being stabilised.
Gascoigne, who retired from football in 2004, has had health struggles for years and has spoken with painful honesty about his alcohol addiction.
It was confirmed to Mail Sport, however, that Gascoigne has been doing well recently and the hero of Italia ’90 was at home recuperating on Monday after the ordeal.
Paul Gascoigne is recovering at home after being discharged from hospital following his collapse last Friday
The former attacking midfielder is regarded as one of the greatest English players of all time
Gascoigne had been admitted with a throat condition after being found ‘semi-conscious’
Gascoigne had earlier relayed a message to friends from hospital, with the former England star reportedly saying he was feeling ‘fine’.
Doctors had earlier confirmed his condition was stable and that Gascoigne had been under observation after being moved to an acute medical ward.
The health setback was unexpected, particularly given Gascoigne’s recent progress.
He has reportedly remained sober for three months over the summer while touring with speaking events, during which he appeared to be in excellent health.
His friend Foster, the man who found him, issued a brief statement on his behalf.
He said: ‘Gazza 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’.
Foster had added that Gascoigne had been ‘out of danger’ by Saturday night.
Despite initial expectations he could continue his recovery in hospital for a number of days, Gascoigne has now been sent home to recuperate further.
The former England star was believed to have told friends that he was feeling ‘fine’ prior to being discharged from hospital
Despite being expected to be in hospital for several days, Gascoigne has been let out earlier
Gascoigne’s health has been a cause for concern for a long time after years of struggles with alcohol addiction and mental health problems.
Earlier this year he gave a positive health update to The Mirror and said that he is close to feeling at his best again.
‘I feel better now than I have in years,’ he said. ‘I hope I am at a point that I can look back over everything I’ve gone through with a different, more positive, perspective.
‘After so many years in the spotlight, I feel like it’s time people got to know the real me.’
Gascoigne’s marriage to Sheryl, which ended in divorce in 1998, was marred by domestic violence claims.
His spell as manager of Kettering Town in 2005 lasted just 39 days, with his alcohol problems a key factor.
In 2008, Gascoigne faced a bankruptcy petition regarding a tax bill of £200,000, as he hadn’t filed any tax returns for over two years.
However, in 2011, he avoided being declared bankrupt despite the fact that he still owed £32,000.
Earlier this year, Gascoigne revealed that he was feeling better than he has done in years
Gascoigne has frequently struggled with alcohol addiction and first attended therapy sessions in 1998.
In 2010, he was charged with drink driving and was sent to rehab, while he was given an eight-week suspended sentence.
Also that year he appeared on the scene during the stand-off between police and fugitive Raoul Moat.
In 2015, Gascoigne received a restraining order for harassing an ex-girlfriend and assaulting a photographer.
Gascoigne was capped 57 times by England between 1988 and 1998 and is regarded as one of the country’s greatest ever players.
He played for several clubs including Newcastle United, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton.
Gascoigne won the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991 and claimed two Scottish Premiership titles, the Scottish Cup and League Cup with Rangers.
