The former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has issued an emotional denial on social media after it emerged he has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a train.

The 51-year-old from Gateshead, who won 57 caps, was arrested at Durham station on 20 August.

A police spokeswoman said: “A man is due to appear in court next month charged in connection with the sexual assault of a woman onboard a train from York to Durham.”

She added that Gascoigne had been charged “with one count of sexual assault by touching, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The charge relates to an incident onboard a train on 20 August this year.”

Gascoigne denied the charge in a tweet on Monday in which he said “I respect all women”. The post was “liked” hundreds of times within minutes of being posted. The tweet was later deleted.

In 2017, Gascoigne was hailed a hero for confronting would-be housebreakers who were attempting to burgle the home of a neighbour in Poole, Dorset .

In October, Gascoigne hit back at the Scottish Football Association after it emerged a vote to induct him into its hall of fame had been rescinded because some SFA board members had threatened to boycott a dinner to celebrate new inductees.

Gascoigne, who helped Glasgow Rangers to two league titles during a three-year stint at the club, responded on Twitter: “I don’t need to be in The Scottish Hall of Fame to be be recognised as one of the best I feel the love & support of the People and know I was the best.”

He will appear at Newton Aycliffe magistrates court on 11 December.