Paul Gascoigne 'nearly died 19 times' during alcohol battle

England football legend Paul Gascoigne has revealed that he almost died 19 times as he continues his battle with alcoholism.

The 47-year-old sparked fresh fears over his health in October when he was reportedly sectioned under the Mental Health Act following a relapse.

On Friday's This Morning show on ITV, Gascoigne claimed that he has only been drinking for a year and a half in the past 18 years, but joked that he was close to death "19 times".

"This time, I knew I was in trouble straight away so I tried to put a block on it, and I was just detoxing in my house," said Gascoigne. "Then all of a sudden, I just felt I was set up by a few people, and I carried on drinking.

"I thought it was craving for a drink, it's not, it's obsession. Once the obsession is gone, you're alright. But when you have no drink left, you get the cravings, and the cravings are bad.

"I didn't ask to be an alcoholic, I just am."

Gascoigne has been admitted to rehab seven times.