Paul Gascoigne breaks down in tears as he reveals memoir has saved people's lives
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne broke down in tears during a live TV interview after revealing his book, Eight: The Real Gazza, has saved people's lives, and the star admitted he is the happiest he has been for "five years".
Paul Gascoigne broke down in tears during a live TV interview after revealing his book has saved people's lives.
The former England footballer, 59, details his battles with addiction and struggles with his life after football in memoir Eight: The Real Gazza, which was released late last year, and he still gets emotional hearing about how many people he has helped.
Breaking down in tears during an interview on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (10.06.26), 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 ... if that book can save one person's life then I've done my job.
"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 joked: "I think I should read it myself, you know. Do myself a favour."
Gascoigne - who is affectionately known as Gazza - is the happiest he has been for "five years" after quitting drinking, and he takes one day at a time nowadays.
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.
"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."
Asked what is making him happy, he said: "Wages. No, just in general. The weather has changed. I went and did a bit of a 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."
Asked if he's managed to "keep off the booze", he said: "Yeah, yeah. I'm not interested in the booze to be fair. I'm in a good place. It's the best I've felt in years."
Gazza admitted it was "tough" opening up for his book, but the reaction to the memoir has made it all worthwhile.
He said: "It [his book] is a good read. It was tough doing, but afterwards I was pleased, because it helped us a lot."
Getting emotional again, he said: "If it saves somebody'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, meaning he would be suspended for the World Cup final if England had won - added: "The last time I cried was in the World Cup.
"I'm in a good place."
