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Paul Gascoigne says there's a Gazza biopic in the works

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2011 file photo, Paul Gascoigne, is seen at the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspurs at St James' Park, Newcastle, England. According to news reports published Sunday March 10, 2013, Gascoigne says he's back from brink of death after receiving treatment for alcoholism in USA. The 45-year-old Gascoigne flew back home on Saturday, a month after being admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Phoenix, USA, following a relapse in his long-running struggle with alcoholism. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell, File)
Paul Gascoigne (Credit: AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

A biopic movie of the life of Paul Gascoigne is in the planning stages, according to the former England football icon.

He says that the memoir Gazza: My Story, published in 2005, will be the basis of the film, though a lead actor is yet to be confirmed.

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Gascoigne told The Daily Mirror: “There are backers looking at a film and trying to find someone to play me. I will guide them and read the script, it will be about my entire life. They will use my books.”

He also added that no part of his story will be off limits.

“Let’s face it, I have nothing to hide. It has all been in the press, the good and bad,” he said.

Lazio’s Paul Gascoigne of England dribbles between Milan’s Paolo Maldini, left, and Franco Baresi during a First Division soccer match in Rome, Italy, on Feb 20, 1994, Milan beat Lazio 1 goal to nil. (AP Photo/Bruno Mosconi)
Paul Gascoigne playing for Lazio in 1994 (Credit: AP Photo/Bruno Mosconi)

A documentary is also due out in November, Gascoigne added, which will look at his roles in the Italia 90 and Euro 96 tournaments, as well as his three years playing for Lazio in Italy.

Another documentary, Gascoigne, directed by Jane Preston, was released in 2015.

“It is all right becoming famous. It was incredible,” he went on.

“Everywhere I went, everything was free. You would go to a restaurant, and it was expensive, but they gave you the meal for free. You don’t want to go back in case they think you are there to get something for free again.”

England's Paul Gascoigne cries as he is escorted off the field by team captain Terry Butcher, after his England lost a penalty shoot-out in the semi-final match of the World Cup against West Germany, July 4, 1990, in Turin, Italy. (AP Photo/Roberto Pfeil)
Paul Gascoigne is escorted off the field by England captain Terry Butcher, after losing the penalty shoot-out in the semi-final match of the World Cup against West Germany in 1990 (Credit: AP Photo/Roberto Pfeil)

However, with fame came Gascoigne's much reported struggles with alcoholism and mental illness.

The 53-year old former Newcastle and Spurs star has been treated for alcoholism and relapsed a number of times over years, as well as being arrested for drink-driving and drug possession.

In 2018, he was cleared of sexual assault after being accused of kissing a female passenger on a train from York to Newcastle.