Latest news with #Gazza
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gazza looks better than ever as he shares feelings that 'run riot' in his life
Once described as the most gifted English footballer of all time, Paul Gascoigne - aka Gazza - is 58 and looking fantastic. And he tells The Mirror he wants people to get to know 'the real me' Looking like a man at the top of his game, as he poses for an exclusive photoshoot, Gazza says: 'I feel better now than I have in years.' Once described as the most gifted English footballer of all time, now 58 and looking fantastic, he tells The Mirror: 'I hope I am at a point that I can really look back over everything I've gone through in my life with a different - and more positive - perspective. After so many years in the spotlight, I feel like it's time people got to know the real me.' Speaking ahead of his new book Eight being released by Mirror Books in the autumn, he has named it after the number 8 shirt he famously wore for England for Euro 96, as well as for Spurs. Eight, he reveals, also relates to the eight emotions he says have 'run riot through my life…sometimes all in the same afternoon!' The book promises to give the real story behind some of the more infamous events in the life of the Spurs, Rangers, Middlesbrough and England champion - from the drinking, to living with bipolar and his bizarre involvement in the hunt for killer his bizarre involvement in the hunt for Raoul Moat. Gazza, who recently appeared on a video tribute to Gary Lineker, when he bowed out as host of Match of the Day, thanked his former England and Spurs teammate for being there during his tougher times and hoped they would go 'gallivanting' together, now he has more free time. Gazza's well-documented addiction problems in the past have led to a series of arrests for drunk and disorderly and drink-drive offences. And his marriage to Sheryl Gascoigne in 1996 was dogged by allegations of domestic violence. But, despite their divorce in 1998, she has written about her ongoing attempts to help him. Coming 20 years after his autobiography My Story in 2005, Gazza feels that in Eight, he shows he now has a better grasp of what was happening to him during his rollercoaster life journey. Billed as 'Paul Gascoigne as never before,' if his story is anywhere near as showstopping as his new pictures, then it will be a riveting read. 'Gazza's looking better than ever - he was one of the heroes of my youth' Mirror photographer Rowan Griffiths photographed his footballing hero Gazza for the first time two weeks ago and says: 'He looks fantastic.' Meeting at a hotel in Didcot, Oxfordshire, Rowan says: 'Gazza knows how to hold the room. He was very genuine, asking how we all were. He was doing a speaking tour and seemed very well. I was so relieved to see him looking so good, as I was a fan from way back in the day myself. He was one of the heroes of my youth.' Rowan, who has been a Mirror photographer since 2003, reminisced with Gazza about the World Cup game against the then Czechoslovakia in 1990, when he scored one of the goals that bagged England a 4-2 win. 'I went to the Czech game,' says Rowan. 'Gazza recalled every detail of that game to me. Someone else asked if he remembered every game and he said yes he did. It's amazing to have that recall.' Disclosing that he has swapped hotel stays for Airbnbs when he is on speaking tours, so he has greater autonomy, when Rowan asked how he was feeling, Gazza said: 'I'm great.' While looking brilliant and posing like a consummate professional, Rowan says: 'He still likes a typical Gazza joke. We would be doing some serious portraits and the next thing, he was doing a ballerina pose! That's Gazza for you!'
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘He drives me nuts' – McCoist's ex-team-mate gives verdict on his media work saying ‘he was like that in dressing room'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HE was known for quality on the park as well as his antics and pranks off it. But former Rangers star Paul Gascoigne claims Ally McCoist is the real wind-up merchant with his punditry. 3 TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist Credit: Getty 3 Gazza and McCoist celebrate cup success Credit: Getty 3 Gazza in action for Rangers Credit: Reuters The former England midfielder and ex-Scotland striker struck up a close partnership and were key in Rangers securing nine-in-a row during the 1990s under Walter Smith. McCoist is the club's all-time top goalscorer with 355 goals. After his footballing career finished, he has rarely been off fans' TV or radio, with various media commitments and commentary gigs. But Gazza, who is widely seen as one of the most talented English footballers of his generation, joked he can't stand listening to the 62-year-old. Paul Gascoigne told Esport Insider: "He winds everyone up! He gets on my nerves and drives me nuts. "He must get paid for every word he says. An extra bit of bonus. He loves to talk. "But he was like that in the dressing room too, he loves his football." Gazza joined Rangers in 1995 from Lazio, and would go on to win two league titles, a Scottish Cup and a League Cup. The pair enjoyed playing dressing room pranks on each other and other team-mates as Gascoigne shared another one of his infamous tales. The 57-year-old added: "He didn't turn up for a drink with us one night. Rangers icon Paul Gascoigne makes surprise Match of the Day appearance as footie greats pay tribute to Gary Lineker "And I went mad and I rang him up and said, 'what time do the kids finish school?' "He said, '15:30, why?' I said, 'I'm just curious'. "So it was 15:20. I went to a pet shop where we lived, and I bought two budgies in a cage. "Two goldfish and then a rabbit and a rabbit hutch. I left them outside his door at 15:29. "So he rings me up and called me a b******, I said 'what's wrong?' "He said his kids had rang him up and thanked him for the new pets!" Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘It wasn't meant to end this way': Gary Lineker signs off with his final Match of the Day
Gary Lineker bade farewell to Match of the Day and his career at the BBC on Sunday night in the only appropriate manner: with a montage. There were deep breaths, noises off, the checking of notes. There were tears and celebrations. There was Bobby Robson and Johan Cruyff. There were tributes from colleagues, peers, friends and family and an invitation to 'go gallivanting' from Gazza. 'You don't believe it but you will be missed,' said Pep Guardiola . The 64-year-old largely held it together as he was taken down memory lane and ushered towards the exit door of the BBC's top sports programme after 26 years of hosting. Only a sniffle betrayed his deeper feelings as he signed off for the last time. 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work and I got the plaudits,' he said. 'It's been utterly joyous.' READ MORE Lineker has often described the opportunity to be a custodian of a programme he himself had grown up watching as 'a privilege'. In truth, the former England captain's stint as presenter dwarfs that of every other host. From David Coleman to Des Lynam, the host of Match of the Day has also been the face of the BBC's sports programming and Lineker continued that tradition, but only his presence has been consistent across an entire generation. After an initial stint as a pundit, Lineker's presenting debut came on August 7th, 1999. He introduced himself with a Lynam-esque moment of fourth-wall breaking. 'Hey, tell you what, football's back,' he said, before adding: 'Any good? Did I get the job?' [ The full-time whistle blows for Lineker Opens in new window ] His first match was Chelsea at home to promoted Sunderland, a thrashing led by Gianfranco Zola; his punditry panel Alan Hansen and Trevor Brooking. Twenty-six years later and Lineker saw out his last 90 minutes of action and analysis in the company of Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Both men are bigger, louder and snappier than their predecessors. They also work with Lineker all week long as part of The Rest Is Football, the hit podcast produced by Lineker's Goalhanger studio. There, their personalities are given looser rein and banter gushes freely. The more mannered versions of the trio on MOTD can seem a little awkward by comparison. Over the years Lineker found a distinctive voice as a broadcaster, conveying his enthusiasm for the game while adopting an avuncular approach to the athletes he was watching. He also indulged his fondness for wordplay and made many deprecating references to the achievements of his career. His boyish looks endured for decades, his ageing betrayed only by his whitening hair. In 2015 he agreed to present MOTD in 'just my undies' if the team he had once played for and always supported, Leicester City, won the Premier League. The Foxes duly pulled off the miracle and Lineker half-honoured his commitment: the white bloomers were more shorts than pants. At that point in his career it was as close to controversy as Lineker had come. The player who never received a yellow card had become the good guy host, even-handed in his observations and gentle in his humour. But his pants pledge came via a post on Twitter and Lineker's social media activity was to change the perception the public had of him. He used Twitter to articulate his personal political views. His support for refugees brought attacks from the press and strangers into his home. Two years ago, criticism of the previous government's language on asylum led to debates over impartiality and a brief suspension, only for Lineker's pundit peers to walk out in solidarity. Scrutiny of Lineker's activity away from the studio has only grown since, at the same time as his independence from the BBC has deepened. The decision that Lineker would begin to step away from his BBC responsibilities was made last autumn, with the promise of a last dance at the men's World Cup next summer. Lineker's decision two weeks ago to repost content relating to the Gaza conflict that contained an antisemitic symbol then put an end to plans for an extended farewell. 'It wasn't meant to end this way,' was how Lineker opened his final show, but there was to be no confessional. Of course it was a set up for a joke. 'With the title race over, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about,' said Lineker as Richards grimaced keenly, but the camera didn't linger. As ever with a show that is edited with military precision, the match action had to be cued up. 'We'll take it in table order,' Lineker said. The show rolled on. There were little chuckles at the prospect of free pints at Shearer's Bar at St James' Park and a recital of law 12 relating to the control of the ball in a goalkeeper's hand. The Chelsea defender Levi Colwill was compared to a 'prime Lineker in the box' by Richards and giggles were had over unrevealed remarks relating to Sunderland made by Shearer in the green room. Gary Lineker presenting his final Match of the Day with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Photograph: BBC News There was a graphic that got the West Ham manager wrong and Lineker momentarily confused Brighton and Bournemouth. It was all as familiar and as comforting as a warm bath. Then, finally, the plug was pulled. - Guardian
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘It wasn't meant to end this way': Lineker signs off from Match of the Day
Gary Lineker bade farewell to Match of the Day and his career at the BBC on Sunday night in the only appropriate manner: with a montage. There were deep breaths, noises off, the checking of notes. There were tears and celebrations. There was Bobby Robson and Johan Cruyff. There were tributes from colleagues, peers, friends and family and an invitation to 'go gallivanting' from Gazza. Advertisement 'You don't believe it but you will be missed,' said Pep Guardiola. The 64-year-old largely held it together as he was taken down memory lane and ushered towards the exit door of the BBC's top sports programme after 26 years of hosting. Only a sniffle betrayed his deeper feelings as he signed off for the last time. 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work and I got the plaudits', he said. 'It's been utterly joyous.' Lineker has often described the opportunity to be a custodian of a programme he himself had grown up watching as 'a privilege'. In truth, the former England captain's stint as presenter dwarfs that of every other host. From David Coleman to Des Lynam, the host of Match of the Day has also been the face of the BBC's sports programming and Lineker continued that tradition, but only his presence has been consistent across an entire generation. After an initial stint as a pundit, Lineker's presenting debut came on 7 August 1999. He introduced himself with a Lynam-esque moment of fourth-wall breaking. 'Hey, tell you what, football's back,' he said, before adding: 'Any good? Did I get the job?' Advertisement His first match was Chelsea at home to promoted Sunderland, a thrashing led by Gianfranco Zola; his punditry panel Alan Hansen and Trevor Brooking. Twenty-six years later and Lineker saw out his last 90 minutes of action and analysis in the company of Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Both men are bigger, louder and snappier than their predecessors. They also work with Lineker all week long as part of The Rest Is Football, the hit podcast produced by Lineker's Goalhanger studio. There, their personalities are given looser rein and banter gushes freely. The more mannered versions of the trio on MOTD can seem a little awkward by comparison. Over the years Lineker found a distinctive voice as a broadcaster, conveying his enthusiasm for the game while adopting an avuncular approach to the athletes he was watching. He also indulged his fondness for wordplay and made many deprecating references to the achievements of his career. His boyish looks endured for decades, his ageing betrayed only by his whitening hair. In 2015 he agreed to present MOTD in 'just my undies' if the team he had once played for and always supported, Leicester City, won the Premier League. The Foxes duly pulled off the miracle and Lineker half-honoured his commitment: the white bloomers were more shorts than pants. Advertisement At that point in his career it was as close to controversy as Lineker had come. The player who never received a yellow card had become the good guy host, even-handed in his observations and gentle in his humour. But his pants pledge came via a post on Twitter and Lineker's social media activity was to change the perception the public had of him. He used Twitter to articulate his personal political views. His support for refugees brought attacks from the press and strangers into his home. Two years ago, criticism of the previous government's language on asylum led to debates over impartiality and a brief suspension, only for Lineker's pundit peers to walk out in solidarity. Scrutiny of Lineker's activity away from the studio has only grown since, at the same time as his independence from the BBC has deepened. The decision that Lineker would begin to step away from his BBC responsibilities was made last autumn, with the promise of a last dance at the men's World Cup next summer. Lineker's decision two weeks ago to repost content relating to the Gaza conflict that contained an antisemitic symbol then put an end to plans for an extended farewell. 'It wasn't meant to end this way,' was how Lineker opened his final show, but there was to be no confessional. Of course it was a set up for a joke. 'With the title race over, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about,' said Lineker as Richards grimaced keenly, but the camera didn't linger. Advertisement As ever with a show that is edited with military precision, the match action had to be cued up. 'We'll take it in table order,' Lineker said. The show rolled on. There were little chuckles at the prospect of free pints at Shearer's Bar at St James' Park and a recital of law 12 relating to the control of the ball in a goalkeeper's hand. The Chelsea defender Levi Colwill was compared to a 'prime Lineker in the box' by Richards and giggles were had over unrevealed remarks relating to Sunderland made by Shearer in the green room. There was a graphic that got the West Ham manager wrong and Lineker momentarily confused Brighton and Bournemouth. It was all as familiar and as comforting as a warm bath. Then, finally, the plug was pulled.
The Guardian
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘It wasn't meant to end this way': Lineker signs off from Match of the Day
Gary Lineker bade farewell to Match of the Day and his career at the BBC on Sunday night in the only appropriate manner: with a montage. There were deep breaths, noises off, the checking of notes. There were tears and celebrations. There was Bobby Robson and Johan Cruyff. There were tributes from colleagues, peers, friends and family and an invitation to 'go gallivanting' from Gazza. 'You don't believe it but you will be missed,' said Pep Guardiola. The 64-year-old largely held it together as he was taken down memory lane and ushered towards the exit door of the BBC's top sports programme after 26 years of hosting. Only a sniffle betrayed his deeper feelings as he signed off for the last time. 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work and I got the plaudits', he said. 'It's been utterly joyous.' Lineker has often described the opportunity to be a custodian of a programme he himself had grown up watching as 'a privilege'. In truth, the former England captain's stint as presenter dwarfs that of every other host. From David Coleman to Des Lynam, the host of Match of the Day has also been the face of the BBC's sports programming and Lineker continued that tradition, but only his presence has been consistent across an entire generation. After an initial stint as a pundit, Lineker's presenting debut came on 7 August 1999. He introduced himself with a Lynam-esque moment of fourth-wall breaking. 'Hey, tell you what, football's back,' he said, before adding: 'Any good? Did I get the job?' His first match was Chelsea at home to promoted Sunderland, a thrashing led by Gianfranco Zola; his punditry panel Alan Hansen and Trevor Brooking. Twenty-six years later and Lineker saw out his last 90 minutes of action and analysis in the company of Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Both men are bigger, louder and snappier than their predecessors. They also work with Lineker all week long as part of The Rest Is Football, the hit podcast produced by Lineker's Goalhanger studio. There, their personalities are given looser rein and banter gushes freely. The more mannered versions of the trio on MOTD can seem a little awkward by comparison. Over the years Lineker found a distinctive voice as a broadcaster, conveying his enthusiasm for the game while adopting an avuncular approach to the athletes he was watching. He also indulged his fondness for wordplay and made many deprecating references to the achievements of his career. His boyish looks endured for decades, his ageing betrayed only by his whitening hair. In 2015 he agreed to present MOTD in 'just my undies' if the team he had once played for and always supported, Leicester City, won the Premier League. The Foxes duly pulled off the miracle and Lineker half-honoured his commitment: the white bloomers were more shorts than pants. At that point in his career it was as close to controversy as Lineker had come. The player who never received a yellow card had become the good guy host, even-handed in his observations and gentle in his humour. But his pants pledge came via a post on Twitter and Lineker's social media activity was to change the perception the public had of him. He used Twitter to articulate his personal political views. His support for refugees brought attacks from the press and strangers into his home. Two years ago, criticism of the previous government's language on asylum led to debates over impartiality and a brief suspension, only for Lineker's pundit peers to walk out in solidarity. Scrutiny of Lineker's activity away from the studio has only grown since, at the same time as his independence from the BBC has deepened. The decision that Lineker would begin to step away from his BBC responsibilities was made last autumn, with the promise of a last dance at the men's World Cup next summer. Lineker's decision two weeks ago to repost content relating to the Gaza conflict that contained an antisemitic symbol then put an end to plans for an extended farewell. 'It wasn't meant to end this way,' was how Lineker opened his final show, but there was to be no confessional. Of course it was a set up for a joke. 'With the title race over, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about,' said Lineker as Richards grimaced keenly, but the camera didn't linger. As ever with a show that is edited with military precision, the match action had to be cued up. 'We'll take it in table order,' Lineker said. The show rolled on. There were little chuckles at the prospect of free pints at Shearer's Bar at St James' Park and a recital of law 12 relating to the control of the ball in a goalkeeper's hand. The Chelsea defender Levi Colwill was compared to a 'prime Lineker in the box' by Richards and giggles were had over unrevealed remarks relating to Sunderland made by Shearer in the green room. There was a graphic that got the West Ham manager wrong and Lineker momentarily confused Brighton and Bournemouth. It was all as familiar and as comforting as a warm bath. Then, finally, the plug was pulled.
