get well soon gazza

[Guest modman]

The sister of former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has said she fears for his life after he was held under the Mental Health Act.

 

Anna Gascoigne told ITV News that her brother faced a "very dangerous" mix of depression and addiction.

 

Mr Gascoigne was released on Monday after being sectioned, but later voluntarily returned to hospital.

 

His former Tottenham team-mate Gary Mabbutt said the star was then sectioned again for up to six months.

 

'Far gone'

 

Police confirmed that Mr Gascoigne was taken to hospital on Sunday after reports that he was acting strangely in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

 

A police spokesman said Gascoigne had approached a member of the public and appeared to be unwell and in an agitated state.

 

He was released on Monday, but later that day police were called to a hairdresser in Kensington, west London, where he was "feeling unwell".

 

He's been drinking, I believe, to escape

 

Anna Gascogine

 

He then voluntarily presented himself to hospital staff.

 

Mr Mabbutt told the BBC that Mr Gascoigne was subsequently detained under section three of the Mental Health Act at the Priory hospital.

 

"Paul can be detained for up to six months, which means that even if Paul wanted to be discharged and wanted to leave tomorrow he is not able to leave," Mr Mabbutt added.

 

Anna Gascoigne told ITV News her brother had been given a lot of support by friends and well-wishers, but he needed professional help.

 

"He's been drinking, I believe, to escape, to get away, and it's been a vicious circle," she said.

 

"I have feared for his life, especially I would say the last couple of weeks.

 

"It had literally gotten to the point where I was having to be with him constantly, to the point where I was taking him to hospital because I believed that he needed help."

 

Football agent Eric Hall, a close friend of the player for nearly 20 years, described his condition as "far, far gone".

 

"I would like to think that there's a miracle cure, and somebody could sit down with Paul Gascoigne and say Paul, don't do this, don't do that, but do this and do that," Mr Hall said.

 

"I don't think he'll listen any more."

 

Alleged assault

 

Mr Gascoigne was previously detained in February after an incident at a Tyneside hotel.

 

The ex-midfielder, who has battled with alcohol and health problems, was treated at Middleton St George Hospital in Darlington for two weeks following the incident.

 

In January 2005, Mr Gascoigne - nicknamed Gazza during his football career - was hospitalised with pneumonia and last year he underwent emergency surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer after being taken ill while he was celebrating his 40th birthday.

 

And in the same year he was arrested for an alleged assault on a photographer outside a Liverpool city centre hotel. The charges were later dropped.

 

A former player with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Glasgow Rangers and Middlesbrough, Mr Gascoigne was sacked after 39 days as manager of Kettering Town in 2005.

 

During his football career he was capped 57 times for England.

[juffery 0]

It's so sad to see anyone go this way, but for it to happen to someone who has brought so much joy to so many through his career makes it even sadder. I reallyhope he gets the treatment he needs and comes out the other end a happier, better-adjusted man.

[Jon 0]

Im sure that we aqll echo those sentiments Juff. Hopefully he will be kept in for the full 6 months and recover, I just hope he doesn't self restruct on his release.

[Frankie 8,816]

Yep, get well soon Gazza!

[Guest modman]

"well said" its a shame for this sort of thing to happen to anyone let alone a legend like gazza

[pete 2,511]

Very sad Indeed. Get well soon Gazza!

[gisabeer 409]

sorry i dont share your sentements. gazza was in a privelliged position and squandered the gift he was given in life. He is a loser and has no one to blame but himself. do you feel sorry for every drug addict that you walk past in the street? I dont. Like them gazza chose to take drugs and is now paying the penalty, a very heavy one.

 

Those in the media seem to get the sympathy vote and a thumbs up when their life goes pearshaped through drugs (Pete docherty, Amy whinehouse etc) and its broadcast over the media. These so called role models seem to do as they please and set a bad example to everyone else, especially kids.

 

Feeling sorry for gazza wont help him. firing a rocket up his arse just might give the slap that will wake him up.

[juffery 0]

Gisabeer, I could be wrong, but gazza has I think been diagnosed manic depressive. Unfortunately that is a mental illness that is as preventable as you or I getting a cold. It's unfortunate, but not entirely down to alcohol abuse.

[pete 2,511]

Gisabeer, I could be wrong, but gazza has I think been diagnosed manic depressive. Unfortunately that is a mental illness that is as preventable as you or I getting a cold. It's unfortunate, but not entirely down to alcohol abuse.

 

Hearing Kenny Miller was coming probably triggered it off. I have been having some problems myself. Psychiatrists will be making a fortune at Ibrox next year.