The Virgin Radio chief reported the threatening calls to the Metropolitan Police on Monday amid a national furore surrounding coach Glenn Hoddle's shock decision to drop Gascoigne.

A police spokeswoman said: "I can confirm the police at West End Central are investigating a complaint of a malicious telephone communication received on June 1 at a business in the West End.

"No arrest has been made and the investigation is continuing."

Criticism over late nights

The threatening calls reportedly concerned the entertainer's friendship with Gascoigne and their drinking sessions with other celebrities.

Chris Evans has come in for criticism over the alleged late nights said to have contributed to the end of Gascoigne's World Cup dream.

It is also believed that the 32-year-old DJ received threats at the offices of his company Ginger Productions and at the west London Riverside Studios where he records his TFI Friday show.

Security surrounding Chris Evans at his Virgin Radio studios in central London's Golden Square has been stepped up, according to The Sun newspaper.

'Don't be angry'

A security source on the TFI show has disclosed additional minders are being employed to "stick to him like glue", the newspaper said.

Mr Evans urged England fans "not to be angry" after Paul Gascoigne was axed.

He said: "We have to stay behind the England team, there's no point doing anything else now."

He added that Gascoigne, who left for a holiday break on Thursday following his departure from the England squad, would need "a lot of looking after".

"Gazza will be devastated, devastated, and that's the most important thing, the rest is just not important.

"It's important that we thank Paul Gascoigne for what he has done for football over the last few years. And the most important thing is that little boy - we have got to look after him."

'Weasel-like'

Television and radio personality Danny Baker, a colleague of Chris Evans, hit out at Hoddle after the decision.

"Paul has not been dropped from the England squad. He has been punished.

"Glenn Hoddle can stonewall and hope to look serious and businesslike all he wants; his dreary, granite-jawed decision is at best idiotic and at worst weak and weasel-like," he said.

"What a shame international players can't be transferred. Hoddle would then find the sheer panic involved in having Gascoigne on the opposing side.

"Imagine Gascoigne in the German line-up against us, given a free role for the USA or even squaring up in the Tunisian team. Be happy and comfortable facing that would you, Glenn?"