Celebrity pals get Gazza into US rehab centre
DJ Chris, Lineker and TV Piers pay for Paul's treatment
Troubled ...Gazza yesterday before jet dashSIMON JONES ExclusiveBy DAN SALES, NICK PARKER, ROBIN PERRIE and COLIN ROBERTSON Published: 8 hrs ago
ALCOHOLIC Paul Gascoigne has jetted to the US and admitted to a clinic after star friends led by DJ Chris Evans teamed up to pay for emergency rehab.
Evans, ex-Three Lions team-mate Gary Lineker, Britain’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan and former England cricketer Ronnie Irani pledged a small fortune — as fans sent messages of support.
Old drinking pal Evans said: “It’s his only chance.”
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Leave messages of support below or email gazza@the-sun.co.uk
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The friends fear time is running out for the frail football legend.
Radio 2 star Evans was among pals shocked by Gazza’s grim appearance and increasingly bizarre behaviour.
Former Newcastle, Spurs and Lazio ace Gazza, 45, was taped sobbing, slurring and swearing at a charity appearance.
Video:Paul Gascoigne's drunken charity appearanceSun ExclusiveSTUNNED fans watched frail soccer legend tremble uncontrollably and unleashed a torrent of swearwords
A source said: “Chris was deeply moved and decided to organise help straightaway. Everyone realised that if nothing was done Paul would be dead in a year.”
Evans — who enjoyed hell-raising nights with Gazza in the ’90s — contacted former Spurs striker Gary Lineker, TV’s Piers Morgan and ex-England cricketer Ronnie Irani. They are paying for £13,600 first class British Airways flights for Gazza and a carer as well as £6,000 a week for his treatment at the Meadows Rehabilitation Centre in Phoenix, Arizona.
Pals ... Chris Evans and Gazza
He is expected to stay “months, not weeks”.
As trembling Gazza jetted out from Heathrow, Evans said: “A serious addict can only be helped if they really want to be. It is my understanding that as of approximately ten o’clock Monday morning Paul asked for that help.
“Then and only then could a select group of his friends begin to put into operation the latest phase in a long fight to rid him of his demons. It’s his only chance — but at least now he’s going to get that chance.”
TalkSPORT presenter and former England cricketer Ronnie Irani last night spoke of how he and Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans, a long-term friend of Gascoigne, the football legend’s flight to the centre in Phoenix, Arizona.
Team-mate ... ace Gary Lineker
Irani also revealed the midfielder is struggling with life after what he described as “a mad six weeks”.
The radio presenter explained Gazza's recent behaviour drove him to seek help on the behalf of the former Tottenham and Lazio star.
He said: “I had a chat with [BBC radio DJ] Chris Evans and he just asked how we could help him
“We knew we just had to get him on this flight, out to the priory in Phoenix, we just had to get him on the plane.
“I called British Airways and explained the situation, that we had to get him out to Phoenix to get him some help. He needs it, and if not, who knows what’s going to happen?”
Irani revealed Gazza has received support from the Professional Footballers' Association which he has failed to take advantage of.
He added: "With Paul Gascoigne, I’ll be really honest with you, he’s had all the help he could possibly have right in front of him from the PFA.
“It’s tough. Mental health issues are a serious, serious subject.
“But sadly he’s not been able to help himself.
Support ... Paul Gascoigne and Piers Morgan
Rex
“So many people rang up yesterday to help Paul Gascoigne, like you could never believe, but the truth is he hasn’t been able to help himself.”
Britain’s Got Talent judge Morgan posted on Twitter last night: “Get well soon #Gazza — we’re all behind you. Anyone who knows Paul Gascoigne knows how desperate he is, and has been, to sort himself out.”
After his pitiful charity appearance last Thursday, Gazza spent a lonely weekend holed up in Boscombe, Dorset — leaving his flat to buy cans of lager and bottles of gin.
He has been attending Bournemouth-based rehab group Providence Projects. Two members are believed to have gone with him to Heathrow before one sat with him on the 11-hour flight. BA special services staff helped him to his seat.
Support ... Paul Gascoigne with pals
BNPS
Fellow passenger and TV exec Wayne Garvie described him as looking “tragic, pitiful and heartbreaking.”
Gazza’s spokesman said: “Alcoholic Paul Gascoigne has willingly been admitted to a treatment centre. He has been extremely touched by the generous offers of help.”
Possibly Englands best ever footballer