Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has revealed that he had taken 14 lines of cocaine before he tried to come to the aid of killer Raoul Moat in 2010.
The 48-year-old, who is a recovering alcoholic, caused confusion when he turned up during a police stand-off with Moat in Rothbury holding a fishing rod and some cooked chicken.
Earlier that day, Moat, who eventually killed himself with his gun, shot his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, her new boyfriend Chris Brown and police officer David Rathband.
During an 'Evening with Paul Gascoigne' at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre on Sunday, the former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder explained the reason behind the infamous incident.
"You've got to realise I'm half cut anyway, sitting in the living room, I've got about six lines [of cocaine] lined up," The Sun quotes Gascoigne as saying. "I'm not realising much but a good line and me and Raoul Moat are sort of friends. A couple more lines and we are good buddies.
"A few whiskies, another few lines, I've had about eight lines and we went to school together. He was in Rothbury, that's where I used to go fishing so I know the area quite well.
"Another line and I have a couple of fishing rods and a chicken. He's going to need a drink. I've had 14 lines now and he's my brother. I've got my fishing rods, I've got Barbour jacket, I've got my four cans, I've got my chicken. My chicken is important because he must be starving."
Gascoigne revealed that after being turned away by police, he woke up the next morning unaware of what he had done until he heard the news on TV.
Danielle Joynson
