Pausing only to speak briefly to the press who have surrounded his home since he flew back from England's World Cup training camp in Spain, Gazza offered them chocolate footballs from a cup.

Gazza said he felt sorry for the waiting press

Later he re-emerged smartly dressed and left in the company of a reporter from The Sun newspaper and his wife and son.

He had only three words for the assembled press: "See you tomorrow."

Earlier in the day, it emerged that Gascoigne had been drunk only hours before England's coach Glenn Hoddle dropped him from his final 22 for the France 98 finals.

Gascoigne told how he had enjoyed a drinking and karaoke session with other members of the team in the squad's Spanish hotel bar.

He insisted he had done nothing wrong, as manager Hoddle encouraged the squad to enjoy themselves.

He also admitted drinking cans of lager as he played golf with team-mates on Sunday afternoon.

Venables and Charlton question decision

Former England coach Terry Venables said he would have taken Gascoigne to France.

The former national squad manager, who also saw some of the best of Gascoigne while they were both at Tottenham Hotspur, said the player was worth a gamble.

The football star hands out chocolate footballs to the waiting press

"Obviously he hasn't done himself any favours and there may be things that went on that we don't know about," said Venables.

"We are talking about 22 for a competition that lasts seven weeks. I would have taken him, watched his progress and been prepared to put him on the bench.

"The further you go in a big tournament like the World Cup or Euro 96 the more you need players who can make a difference in a match."

Jack Charlton's opinion on the England situation

Jackie Charlton, a veteran of England's 1966 World Cup winning team and former Republic of Ireland manager, backed Venables.

"There are a lot of questions to be answered," he said. "Glenn might have answered all these things and he may be very happy.

"I hope so, I desperately hope so."

Numerous media organisations have conducted polls into the Gascoigne affair with results showing that many football fans are divided over Hoddle's decision.