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Paul Gascoigne reveals he nearly died at rehab last month
Paul Gascoigne has revealed that a DVD message of support from Alex Ferguson “saved his life” when he was in rehab last month.
The English legend was in an American rehab facility fighting his booze demons where he received a video message from a number of supportive friends and family members encouraging him to fight his addiction and win.
“I was blown away watching people like Sir Alex telling me to stay strong and pull through,” he candidly revealed in a heartfelt interview following his five-week stint at the Cottonwood Clinic in Arizona.
“Sir Alex reminded me I’m a fighter. He said he was speaking on behalf of all the United players and everyone was rooting for me. Wayne Rooney was filmed telling me to get better soon.
“Roy Hodgson, the England manager told me the entire squad was thinking of me and supporting me. He said I was invited to come up to the next England game and join the players in the dressing room before and after the match.
“It all means so much to me and I’m so grateful.”
“That DVD helped save my life. It was shocking to watch. I cried as I saw my Mam in tears begging me to pull through. The first thing on the screen was her in bits. There was my Dad, my nephews all crying, and my sisters giving messages too. I was in tears knowing the hurt I’d caused my family.”
His celebrity friends gathered together to support Gazza after seeing a video of him online where he could barely stand or speak at a January charity bash. Chris Evans even agreed to fund his pal’s rehab stint.
“I’ve always had such a joke with Chris Evans but he was deadly serious on the DVD. He told me to stay and get fit and well. I owe him huge thanks for helping save my life.
“Chris started the ball rolling, I didn’t want to go to treatment but they said he would fund it and I said OK. Thank God he did, really. I thought, ‘If someone wants to help me, why not’?
Gascoigne said he is now taking his recovery day by day and intends to help other alcoholics in need.
