Regan Gascoigne, the 25-year-old son of football legend Paul Gascoigne, has spoken candidly about his difficult upbringing, revealing that he spent weekends at The Priory clinic where his father was undergoing treatment for alcohol, drug, and mental health issues. The Dancing on Ice star, who recently made his father emotional with a stunning debut performance, described his childhood as fractured but emphasised his enduring love for his dad.
In a 2019 interview with The Mirror, Regan recalled the unusual circumstances of his early years: 'I first realised Dad had a problem with drink when I used to spend weekends in The Priory. Although that might sound weird, to have spent some of your childhood playing there, we did used to have some funny times.' He added that he would play pranks, such as messing up his father's bathroom and bedroom, to lighten the mood.
Regan, whose parents separated when he was a baby, admitted that performing helped him cope with the turmoil. 'When negative things were happening, performing would distract me from it. Unfortunately, it is a very sad situation, but that is life,' he said. Despite the challenges, he expressed pride in his father and noted that time has been a healer.
Paul Gascoigne has praised his ex-wife Sheryl for keeping their son on the right path, telling The Mirror: 'He's got a strong mum, she's strong because she's obviously been with me.' The former England star also expressed confidence that Regan will not follow his chaotic footsteps, saying: 'He's got a good head on his shoulders. He won't be like me.'
Regan, who swapped football for dance at a young age, made a sensational start on Dancing on Ice, topping the leaderboard with the highest scores of the series. Judge Christopher Dean noted that learning to skate is the biggest hurdle, but Regan has managed it, while Ashley Banjo remarked: 'I don't know if I've ever seen anybody who can translate movement into ice skating quite like you.'
