England football legend Paul Gascoigne has been taken to hospital after being found semi-conscious at his home on Friday. Emergency services transported the 58-year-old to Poole Hospital, where he was placed in intensive care. He is now out of immediate danger and in a stable condition, but remains on an acute medical ward and is expected to stay for several more days for treatment.
Gascoigne was discovered by his friend Steve Foster, who told The Sun: 'Paul is in hospital, which is the best possible place for him to be right now.' Foster added that Gascoigne would 'like to thank everyone for the support he's received so far from so many old friends who wish him well.'
His daughter Bianca, who has appeared on reality TV shows including Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, is being kept fully informed. Former teammates Vinnie Jones, Paul Merson, Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley are also receiving regular updates on his condition.
The health scare follows the closure of his company Gazza8 Limited, which was struck off by Companies House after failing to submit accounts. Gascoigne has long battled alcoholism; in a podcast last year, he said: 'I used to be a happy drunk, I ain't anymore. I'm a sad drunk.' He also admitted he drinks indoors and turns to alcohol when feeling down.
