Paul Gascoigne seen in TNT Sports trailer for new Premier League season filmed just weeks before hospital dash
The star-studded advert - filmed mid-June - is believed to be his last public appearance before he was dramatically rushed to hospital last week.
7
7
7
7
The former Spurs, Lazio and Rangers player, 58, appears alongside footballing royalty in the 60-second clip.
Titled 'This is not normal', the trailer also features Chelsea starboy Cole Palmer and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Gascoigne is regarded as one of the greatest playmakers of his generation, with a stellar club and international career - and he plays an equally crucial role in the broadcaster's advert.
Gazza - renowned for his crazy antics both on and off the field - is seen sitting on a sofa next to an eager Paris Saint-Germain fan.
He hilariously calms down the over-excited fan, who is shown celebrating the French club's recent Champions League triumph throughout the night.
Keeping an uncharacteristically straight face, Gazza jokes: "That's not normal, mate".
TNT Sports often have an ad filled with football legends ahead of the season - with former Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale appearing once again in the commercial.
It comes as the footballing great was rushed to hospital last week after he was discovered collapsed by a pal at his home in Poole, Dorset on Friday evening.
Gazza was admitted to an intensive care ward but has now been moved to an acute medical unit where his condition was described as stable.
He remains in a hospital near his home, and is expected to stay there for several days for treatment.
His friend Steve Foster passed on a message for the Spurs legend and said he was in the "best possible place" as he continues his recovery.
Steve said Gazza would 'like to thank everyone for the support he's received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best'.
England legend Paul Gascoigne rushed to intensive care unit after he was found collapsed at home by pal
He added: "Paul is in hospital, which is the best possible place for him to be right now.'
Last night, Steve said: 'Paul is stable now but is still very poorly."
He has been posing for selfies with fans while he was recovering.
His pal added: "It shows how popular and loved he still is by fans everywhere.
'I can't walk down the street with him without him being stopped - it's crazy.'
The sad star's plight horrified pal Steve, who found him semi-conscious at 1.30pm on Friday in the bedroom of his home in Poole, Dorset.
Gazza was said to have been 'upset' by a disagreement with a business associate and the shutdown of his company, which he launched to run his public appearance business.
The much-loved icon's family and football pals rallied round to support him as word spread of the medical emergency - said to be the worst he has faced.
His reality star daughter Bianca, his two sisters and ex footballer pals Peter Beardsley, Paul Merson and Vinnie Jones were being kept informed of his condition.
Soccer hero Paul - capped 57 times and a scorer of ten goals for the Three Lions between 1988 and 1998 - is expected to remain in hospital 'for some time.'
Steve told how Gazza has recently taken to spontaneous acts of kindness to cheer himself up.
Days before his collapse, he suddenly decided to help out homeless people he spotted while out walking in Bournemouth near his seaside home.
Steve said: 'He suddenly went to a cash machine, drew out £500 and started handing out money to all the homeless people he could find.
'He said there were a lot of people worse off than him and wanted to help them out. He was given away anything between £20 and £50 at a time saying: 'Get yourself a meal.'
'That's the kind of bloke Paul is and why so many people who know him hope he can get well.'
Another source close to Gazza told the Sun: 'What happened over the weekend was incredibly serious.
7
7
'Thank God Steve found him when he did, because he urgently needed help and intervention at that point.
'There's concern among Paul's friends and family that he won't be well enough to live on his own for a long time - he will certainly need someone at his side for the next few weeks.
'He's going to need a lot of help and support to get over this."
The source added: 'Paul still spends a lot of time out and on the road attending events and meeting fans at boozy dinners and awards nights.
'It's a rollercoaster lifestyle with lots of temptation there. But over the last few months Paul's been doing OK and managing to keep his demons at bay.
'He's got a lot of support and goodwill and unlike in the past, where people were always buying him drinks and egging him on, that simply doesn't happen now.
'The whole world knows that Paul can't be drinking. All his pals are praying he can pull through this."
Gascoigne has been represented for years by booking agent Katie Davies but she has now stepped back from regular involvement in his day-to-day life.
Businessman Mr Foster - who runs a football memorabilia site with links to soccer heroes - now manages Gazza's public speaking dates and drives him to venues.
The personal assistant - who visited the soccer great at Poole Hospital today - told the Sun: 'He's been sleeping a lot of the time but is making progress and has managed to eat something.
'He read The Sun's report and has been given a boost by all the messages of support.
'No date has been set for his hospital discharge yet - he's just taking one day at a time and focusing on getting well.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ITV News
17 minutes ago
- ITV News
Chloe Kelly on celebration
England match winner Chloe Kelly explained her celebration after tapping in a rebound from her saved penalty against Italy in the Euro 2025 semi-final!
The Independent
17 minutes ago
- The Independent
India face anxious wait over scan results on Rishabh Pant's right foot
India are anxiously awaiting the results of scans on Rishabh Pant's right foot that could have considerable 'consequences' on the fourth Rothesay Test against England. Pant brought trademark chaos after India had slipped from 94 without loss to 140 for three at Emirates Old Trafford, slog sweeping Jofra Archer for four and belting Brydon Carse for a straight six. But he inside-edged a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes' yorker flush on to his boot, which he removed to reveal a foot that became increasingly swollen and bruised as he received lengthy treatment. Pant, who has made 462 runs at 77 in this series, retired hurt on 37 and was taken off the field in agony on a golf buggy, leaving his availability for the rest of the Test in major doubt. He went for scans and Sai Sudharsan, who top-scored with 61 in India's 264 for four and was at the other end when Pant was injured, admitted the tourists are waiting with baited breath on the outcome. 'He was in a lot of pain,' Sudharsan said. 'He's gone for scans and we'll get to know overnight. 'He was batting really well here. We miss a batter if he doesn't come back again, so it would definitely have consequences. We'll try to give our best and bat long so that we negotiate that loss.' England spinner Liam Dawson, who marked his first Test appearance in eight years by taking the prize wicket of India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 58, believes Pant's situation is bleak. 'Our thoughts are with him, it didn't look a great injury so I hope he's alright,' Dawson said. 'He's obviously a very good player but I can't see him taking much more part in this game.' Dawson admitted he thought his hopes of an England recall had vanished before Shoaib Bashir's Test summer was ended by a finger injury he sustained in last week's nail-biting win at Lord's. The 35-year-old claimed figures of one for 45 from 15 overs, having Jaiswal caught at slip for his first Test wicket in 2,929 days since dismissing ex-South Africa batter Hashim Amla at Trent Bridge. 'I've said to a few people that the age I'm at, I thought Test cricket was gone,' Dawson said. 'To be back involved is really cool and I've got to try and enjoy each day that I get. 'I do feel I'm a better bowler than what I was a few years ago. I was nervous. I'd not played for a number of years. The biggest thing for me is I understood what to expect whereas before, I didn't. 'Hopefully I'll get a couple more. It's one wicket, I've done nothing special.' However, Ashes 2005-winning captain Michael Vaughan has seen enough to convince him Dawson, rather than Bashir, should be England's frontline spinner for this winter's blockbuster Ashes series in Australia. It is Dawson's all-round abilities – he has more than 10,000 first-class runs with 18 hundreds and is regarded as a fine fielder – that makes him such an attractive option for Vaughan. 'He is a good cricketer,' Vaughan told the BBC'S Test Match Special. 'He has been around the blocks. He knows his game. You could see that from the first ball he bowled. 'I think England are a better team with him in the side. On the pitches we are seeing in the UK and potentially Australia, I want to see a batting line-up that is absolutely packed. 'He has the all-round package and for this England side, and going forward to Australia, they are stronger with this style of cricketer in it.'
The Independent
17 minutes ago
- The Independent
Marcus Rashford says Barcelona ‘feels like home' as he inherits iconic shirt number
Marcus Rashford is officially a Barcelona player. Three days after his arrival and having signed his contract, the English forward was unveiled by the club. He joins on loan until June 2026, with a non-mandatory purchase option set at around €30m. "I'm where I wanted to be. I mean no disrespect to any other club, but I would've waited even longer if it meant joining Barça," he admitted during a press conference held at the club's official store, just a few metres from the Camp Nou — still far from ready to host matches. The standout moment from the presentation was the announcement that Rashford will wear the iconic number 14 jersey, famously worn by Johan Cruyff and Thierry Henry. "I know the history behind this number. I feel a huge responsibility. I'm honoured to wear it, as Cruyff and Henry did," he said, with Henry being one of his childhood idols. Rashford becomes only the second English player to wear the Barça shirt, nearly 40 years after Gary Lineker, who recently stated that Rashford's struggles were more about Manchester United's institutional crisis than the player himself. "Lineker is a reference for me. I know what he achieved here, and I'd love to surpass his record. It won't be easy — it's a huge challenge — but I'm here to help the team. Hopefully, I can become the club's top English scorer, but the most important thing is to win," he said. He also spoke about his relationship with United after coach Ruben Amorim made it clear he was not in his plans. "United has been in transition for a long time. I have nothing bad to say about the club. It's been a very important part of not only my career but my life. I wish them all the best and hope they're successful in the future," he added. Rashford met his new teammates for the first time yesterday during a training session ahead of the club's upcoming Asian tour. "Many players have impressed me, especially the younger ones. Despite their age, they show great personality and maturity. They're still kids, but they understand the responsibility they carry. Last season they did well, but this year we want to do better." One name that stood out was Lamine Yamal. "He's a special talent. I honestly think he was already one of the best — if not the best — players in the world last season. It'll be fun to play alongside him," said Rashford with a smile, posing with his new shirt. Barcelona offers him a fresh start at a key point in his career. With the World Cup just a year away, a change of scenery could give him the boost he needs to make Thomas Tuchel 's squad. Although he hasn't played in months, the Englishman insists he's ready to embrace this new chapter. "Barça is a great club and the perfect place to rediscover my best form. I feel at home here — I think I made the right choice. I'm excited to get started and ready for the challenge." Hansi Flick played a key role in bringing Rashford to Barcelona. The German coach pushed the sporting directors to secure the Manchester United winger's signing after Nico Williams renewed with Athletic Club. "Everyone wanted to make it happen — Laporta, Deco, and of course Flick. We've been in contact for a while. I wanted to come in January, but it wasn't possible and I was happy at Aston Villa. I'm also really grateful for my time there. But Flick is a big reason I'm here. Everyone's shown faith in me," Rashford explained. Smiling, motivated, and with a clear message, the former Manchester United number 10 laid out his ambition. "I want to win big trophies. I feel Barça is a great club. The Champions League? It's a dream of mine. Barça came very close last season — now we hope to take that final step." Without a doubt, this move could be the perfect platform for Rashford to reignite the spark that dazzled fans at the start of his career — something England, and especially Thomas Tuchel, hope to see again as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
