Paul Gascoigne avoids bankruptcy

Paul Gascoigne was once one of football's highest paid stars

Troubled former football star Paul Gascoigne has avoided bankruptcy by settling a tax bill.

HM Revenue and Customs had applied for a bankruptcy petition in November saying the 41-year-old had failed to file tax returns for two years.

However, the case against him was dropped on Thursday after his solicitor said he had paid his tax bill in full.

Gascoigne, who was treated last year for alcohol and drug problems, had an estimated £200,000 liability.

At the peak of his career he was one of football's highest paid stars, reported to be worth £14m.

He became a millionaire when he was transferred from Newcastle to Spurs in 1988, and later secured a £1.25m deal with Italian club Lazio.

As star of the England squad, he won sponsorship deals worth more than £5m with sports clothing manufacturers and also with Walkers crisps.

His solicitor, Craig Montgomery, said on Thursday: "He is delighted to put this matter behind him."