Gazza sister begs: 'Don't buy him alcohol'

Rex Features

Paul Gascoigne's sister has claimed that the ex-footballer's fans are contributing towards his troubles by buying him alcohol.

Anna, 42, issued the shock warning as she spoke publicly for the first time about her brother, who has been spending much of his time in rehab in recent months.

"I'm begging his friends and strangers, please don't give him a drink," Anna told the Sunday Mirror. "If he offers you money to get a drink, don't take it. Or you will have blood on your hands."

"People like Paul. He is a hero and they go up to him and want to buy him a drink, which I understand," she continued. "But what they don't know is, every person who buys him a drink, or gives him a drink or sells him one is contributing to his death. Please stop. Please leave him alone. You're killing my brother with kindness."

Gascoigne was taken to hospital by police yesterday evening after collapsing at St Pancras train station in London. He discharged himself hours later.

"When he tried to stand he kept falling," onlooker Rosie Jeffrey told the newspaper. "Two officers came over and he was trying to hit out at them, shouting to be left alone. But he could barely stand and the officers had to drag him away.

"When I looked closer it was Gazza. I couldn't believe my eyes. They wheeled him to the ambulance past crowds of people and he was trying to cover his face. But he didn't really know where he was or what he was doing. It was so sad to see."