First transmitted in July 2003
In 1990 Paul Gascoigne had the world at his talented feet. Feted globally after his performances at Italia '90, he returned home to ‘Gazza-mania’, the darling of a nation. Yet in Autumn 1998, he stood on a train platform contemplating suicide, a victim of mental torment and unfulfilled potential.
Psychiatrists, journalists and some of Britain's top footballers share their own memories and impressions of Paul. But their evidence reveals an array of mental health problems that make his achievements all the more remarkable.
According to psychologists, Paul’s manic energy, short attention span and childish, inappropriate behaviour are all symptoms of a mental condition known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Paul also appears to suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), an illness where overwhelming anxiety is relieved by repetitive behaviour, such as obsessive tidying or over-exercising.
Paul admits to such obsessive behaviours, but puts them down to stress; they were his way of handing a situation that he wasn’t happy with. Furthermore, his well-documented twitches, grimaces and outbursts are classic symptoms of a neurological disorder that often accompanies OCD – Tourette Syndrome.
Gazza’s coping mechanism was to keep busy. He worked and trained incredibly hard, but also hated being alone and would constantly phone people in search of company, day and night.
After 1990, trying to cope with the double-edged sword of celebrity, other addictions came to the surface. As his former teammate and manager Bryan Robson explains, "He's a binger - whether it's his fitness, whether it's eating, whether it's smoking, whether it's drinking."
Paul’s marriage to Sheryl provided some relief from the demons that were plaguing him, but the marriage collapsed when his drinking led to domestic violence.
This intriguing film looks at the causes behind the problems that have assailed Gazza, how they may have created the talented footballer we all know but also turned him into the troubled individual he is today.
Find out about the help and support available for the causes and issues raised in the programme.
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