Stars show support for Gascoigne

Gascoigne was capped 57 times for England

Former team-mates and friends of Paul Gascoigne have pledged their support to the troubled star after he was detained under the Mental Health Act.

The 40-year-old was asked to leave the Malmaison Hotel in Newcastle on Wednesday when he was "aggressive" towards a porter, the hotel said.

He was detained by police later in the day at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead.

One of Gascoigne's acquaintances, the Wigan manager Steve Bruce, said he was "saddened and shocked" at the news.

The 47-year-old former Manchester United defender, added: "I know Paul quite well. I have had many a night out with him.

There was a bit of grabbing and a bit of verbal but the porter is fine Malmaison spokesman Gazza profile

"Like everyone else, I am obviously saddened and shocked.

"We all hope where he is now, he is in the best hands and we hope he can come through this major obstacle."

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, a former England team-mate of Gascoigne's, said: "It is obviously a very sad situation, but I am sure he will come through it.

"He has shown a willingness to try to come through it in the past and he is obviously going to have to do that again.

"He would do anything for anybody and, hopefully, people will do the same for him now because he obviously needs that help."

Fire alarm

A spokesman for Malmaison, Nigel Massey, said Mr Gascoigne had been staying at the hotel for two weeks when the incident happened.

He said the former international star was aggressive toward a night porter when a fire alarm went off, and he was taken away from the hotel by his sister.

"There was a bit of grabbing and a bit of verbal but the porter is fine," Mr Massey added.

He said the star had been "absolutely charming" during his stay at the hotel before the incident.

Mr Gascoigne had an illustrious football career and is still perhaps best known for his exploits in the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy.

He played for a number of clubs including Newcastle United, Spurs, Lazio and Rangers, appearing 57 times in an England shirt and scoring 10 goals for his country.

But he has battled for some time with alcohol and health problems.

Police said he was not in custody and was receiving medical treatment.