Paul Gascoigne was left fighting tears during a live TV interview as he spoke about his book and saving people's lives during an appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain.
Emotional Interview on Good Morning Britain
The former England footballer, who represented the national team from 1988 to 1998, details his battles with addiction and struggles with life after football in his new memoir, Eight: The Real Gazza, released late last year. Introducing 'Gazza' to the show on Wednesday (June 10), Susanna Reid noted that when they last spoke in October, he was honest about his ongoing battle with addiction. But he says he feels the best he's felt in five years.
Gazza's Honest Reflections
He said: "I don't think about tomorrow, because that's another day. I just try and keep it simple. Some days I find it hard. If a plant died, I used to drink on it. But I don't do that nowadays. I just think, 'Work on that today,' and it gets me through the days." He added: "I don't know about tomorrow. All I know is I'm safe today. It used to be a big battle every time I woke up. But now it's easier to get up. I have a coffee, and try to plan the day ahead. But not tomorrow. I might drink tomorrow. I won't. Everything is going well for us. It's probably the happiest I've felt in five years, definitely."
Finding Happiness in Simple Things
Asked what is making him happy, he quipped: "Wages," before saying: "No, just in general. The weather has changed. I went and did a bit of fly fishing. Things are looking up and good. I'm quite happy. I'm doing really, really well. I've got this Gazza brand, I've got the book."
Book Saving Lives
Gazza became emotional when talking about his book as he said: "A lot of people have come up said they've read it, and it helped them save their life. Like I said, you know ..." Pausing to compose himself, he added: "If that book can save one person's life then I've done my job." He continued: "Two million addicts and alcoholics die each week. It's a lot. When people come up to you and say they've read the book and how it's helped them ... it means a hell of a lot. Because I've had a lot of help in my time. I've learned a lot." He then joked: "I think I should read it myself, you know. Do myself a favour."
Emotional End to Interview
The football legend became emotional again towards the end of the interview, saying, "If [the book] saves someone's life, then I'm happy." Gazza - who famously cried on the pitch at the 1990 World Cup when he received a second yellow card - added: "Sorry about that... The last time I cried was in the World Cup! But I'm in a good place."
