Football icon Paul Gascoigne has made a startling revelation about secretly treating his own serious injury just hours before appearing on the Italian version of I'm A Celebrity.
The Secret Shoulder Incident
The 58-year-old former England star feared producers would remove him from L'Isola dei Famosi if they discovered his dislocated shoulder in 2021. In a candid new interview with The Times, Gascoigne explained he took matters into his own hands rather than seeking hospital treatment that might have jeopardised his place on the show.
This wasn't his first brush with the reality series - he had previously failed the psychiatric test for the UK version five times, making this opportunity particularly precious. The programme was filmed in Honduras, adding to the complexity of his situation.
Injury Worsens During Filming
Gascoigne's DIY medical solution proved temporary when, during a challenging task that involved climbing a totem pole, his shoulder popped out again. The situation became so serious that he required immediate hospital evacuation via helicopter.
In a bizarre twist during the emergency flight, Gascoigne claims medical staff refused to sedate him until he'd posed for selfies with them. A source told The Sun at the time: 'He's dislocated his shoulder. It's such a shame as he was doing so well. The producers are very concerned. He may be pulled out.'
Family Reconciliation and Regrets
Beyond the reality TV drama, Gascoigne opened up about his personal life and expressed deep remorse for the pain he caused his ex-wife Sheryl during their turbulent marriage. The couple wed in 1996 and divorced in 1998, with their relationship strained by his well-documented struggles with alcoholism and mental health issues.
Gascoigne described reaching 'rock bottom' in 1998 when he found himself standing on the edge of a railway platform in Stevenage after a drinking binge. Sheryl ultimately 'talked him round' from this desperate moment, leading to him being placed on suicide watch in hospital.
The former footballer has since rebuilt his relationship with their son Regan, now 29, who won Dancing on Ice in 2022. Gascoigne proudly described his son as 'an unbelievable dancer' and revealed they bond over their shared diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Reflecting on their renewed connection, Gascoigne told The Sun: 'When we get together we just feel like we've never been away from each other. Now we hang out as mates. It's special, I feel lucky.' The sports legend also expressed full support for his son after Regan publicly came out as bisexual in 2021.
