He's up and walking about! Gazza fears allied despite rush to hospital after bad reaction to rehab treatment

'Death wish': Paul Gascoigne, pictured during an event in Northampton on January 31, was rushed to intensive care when he arrived in America for rehabilitation - he was reportedly showing signs of improvement today

Paul Gascoigne is 'up and about and walking around' as he shows signs of recovery from the health scare which prompted his dash to an intensive care unit in America last night.

The former England star, who had been due to start treatment for alcohol addiction at an Arizona clinic, was taken seriously ill on Saturday night.

It is believed he suffered a bad reaction to the detox programme he had been placed on.

Today, Dr John McKeown, the psychotherapist who has worked with Gascoigne for ten years, said there are 'no fears for his life.'

He said: 'Following reports today, I feel it's appropriate to bring people up to date on Paul Gascoigne's condition.

'Paul has experienced severe complications with his detoxification. This is not unusual for someone who has been drinking as heavily as he has.

'Paul was transferred from the US Clinic Cottonwood to a local hospital to be monitored, so as to be completely satisfied that there are no other complications to his health.

'He is still receiving that care but the hospital has reassured me that he is up and about and walking around. There are no fears for his life. We will aim to keep everyone updated.'

The news that Gascoigne, 45, was taken into hospital on Saturday night promoted a flood of worried messages from former teammates.

Gary Lineker, who played alongside the midfielder for club and country, wrote on Twitter: 'Gazza is struggling, Let's hope he can hang on in there.'

Radio DJ Chris Evans then revealed that former England captain Alan Shearer and Sir Alan Sugar were part of a group helping raise funds to report to the stricken star.



He wrote on Twitter: 'Sugar and Shearer on board for Gazza. Thanks gents.'

Another former team-mate, one-time Tottenham captain Gary Mabbutt, told Sky Sports News: 'Unfortunately over the last few weeks Paul has had a relapse, which culminated finally, last Monday, in Paul asking for help.

'By Monday afternoon he was on a plane out to Arizona to a clinic specialising in dealing with Paul's specific problems.



Ill: The former footballer pictured in Bournemouth earlier this week (left) and shortly after arriving in the US (right) where he was deemed too unwell to receive treatment and spent four days in hospital



Unwell: Gascoigne in Bournemouth shortly before a group of friends paid for him to receive treatment for his alcoholism at a clinic in Tucson, Arizona

'The first thing he underwent was a detox, unfortunately Paul had a very bad reaction to the detox and the clinic decided that as a precaution it was best to transfer him to hospital.

'He was transferred to hospital in intensive care where they could monitor him 24-7. But I spoke to Paul's medical team in the UK this morning, they had spoken to Paul and he's recovering and hopefully soon he will be back into the clinic to continue his rehab.



'Over the years he has had a lot of support from the football family, but of course it could be a long road to recovery. Now Paul's asked for the help we can focus on getting through this.'

Gascoigne flew to the United States last week where he was due to be treated at a rehabilitation clinic in Tucson. Instead, he was taken to a nearby hospital where he has spent the past four days.

A group of celebrity friends – including Evans, Lineker and Piers Morgan – had paid for Gascoigne to attend the clinic, which costs about £30,000 for an eight-week stay.

Since then a number of England players, among them Wayne Rooney, have stepped forward with offers of funds. Comedian James Corden has also donated money.

Concern: Gary Lineker, who has helped fund Gascoigne's treatment in the US, last said that his former team-mate was 'struggling'

Gascoigne ‘willingly’ flew to the States for help days after a video emerged of him sobbing on stage in front of a room full of fans.

But when he landed in Arizona he was pictured drinking a pint at the airport bar, before a friend took it off him.

The Cottonwood Clinic, which boasts a team of ‘highly trained clinicians’, has ‘been effective for him previously’, his management company said.

Gascoigne has previously received help at The Providence Projects rehabilitation centre in Dorset, whose treatment director Paul Spanjar was instrumental in sending him to the US.

Mr Spanjar called at the former footballer’s home last week after the video became public – and found him ‘in terrible shape’ at 9.30am.

He said: ‘He was certainly under the influence. Physically he had really deteriorated.’

He added that Gascoigne had fallen off the wagon over the past six weeks, saying: ‘At times myself or a colleague would go round to check that he was still alive.

'It seemed as though he had a death wish.’

Gascoigne made 57 appearances for his country.

England manager Roy Hodgson said his captain, Steven Gerrard, has gone to the FA and ‘told them the players would like to contribute’.



He added: ‘Many of them looked up to him as the star player of the day, and I can only back that up.’

In his Mail on Sunday Live magazine column today, Chris Evans writes: ‘When I saw the pictures of my old pal last week at a so-called personal appearance, even I was shocked.

‘I say even I, because I’ve seen him bad before; much worse than you might imagine.

'Paul has been on the edge for well over a decade now, although admittedly never closer than of late.’

Gifted: The former Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Newcastle United star is widely regarded as one of the most talented English footballers



