Paul Gascoigne is said to be ‘devastated’ after his father passed away on Friday following a battle with cancer.
Gascoigne, 50, has travelled from his house in Bournemouth to the family home in Gateshead to be with his loved ones following John’s death at the age of 72.
A spokesman for the former England footballer said Gascoigne was ‘in a strong place and sober’ despite a well-documented fight with alcoholism.
The father of former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has died, the player’s spokesman has said
Gascoigne’s father was a constant feature over the course of his career, and is pictured left in Rome when ‘Gazza’ signed for Lazio and right, in 1990
A statement reported by the Daily Mirror read: ‘Paul’s dad passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning.
‘Please give the family respect and let them grieve privately.
‘Paul is in a strong place and sober and his dad is now in peace.’
John and wife Carol raised Gascoigne and his three siblings at a council home in Gateshead.
Illness forced him to quit work when Gascoigne was nine and he ended up on benefits but is said to have always made sure his son had a football and boots.
When Gascoigne became an international football star, he showed his gratitude by showering him with gifts – includinga £70,000 Rolls Royce.
A family friend told The Sun: ‘Gazza was incredibly close to his father. This will devastate him, as it will with all the family.
‘John was always there for Paul every step of the way – through the good times at the height of his career and the bad.
‘They were incredibly close. Paul will really miss him.’
Gascoigne is pictured with his father in Newcastle at a book signing in 2004. John died this morning following a battle with cancer
John, 72, passed away this morning following a battle with cancer
John Gascoigne died today (Friday) after a battle with cancer. He remained incredibly close with his son and Gascoigne is said to be devastated at the news
Gascoigne’s sister, Lyndsay, tonight paid tribute to their father by posting a picture of him on Facebook.
Last month Gascoigne, known affectionately as Gazza, was spotted in high spirits attending a Premier League game at the King Power stadium in Leicester, just two weeks after he told his adoring fans that he was back and ready for a ‘massive 2018’.
The former football star was seen in the stands at the game between Leicester City and Watford next to goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel.
His smiling public appearance, complete with a new beard, came after he returned to Twitter in December and entertained his fans with a serious of funny, inspirational and positive messages.
This is the second tragedy to blight the family in recent years after Gascoigne’s nephew, Jay Kerrigan, died in April 2016 from an overdose after battling mental illness.