England football legend Paul Gascoigne has revealed that he almost died 19 times as he continues his battle with alcoholism.
The 47-year-old sparked fresh fears over his health in October when he was reportedly sectioned under the Mental Health Act following a relapse.
On Friday's This Morning show on ITV, Gascoigne claimed that he has only been drinking for a year and a half in the past 18 years, but joked that he was close to death "19 times".
"This time, I knew I was in trouble straight away so I tried to put a block on it, and I was just detoxing in my house," said Gascoigne. "Then all of a sudden, I just felt I was set up by a few people, and I carried on drinking.
"I thought it was craving for a drink, it's not, it's obsession. Once the obsession is gone, you're alright. But when you have no drink left, you get the cravings, and the cravings are bad.
"I didn't ask to be an alcoholic, I just am."
Gascoigne has been admitted to rehab seven times.
Danielle Joynson
