Article Source:www.thesun.co.uk
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.”
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Article Source:-
www.thesun.co.uk
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