Paul Gascoigne gets emotional while detailing 'lonely' addiction battle with Vinnie Jones in new documentary

Paul Gascoigne fought back tears while discussing his battle with addiction with Vinnie Jones for his new TV show.

Former Wimbledon destroyer Jones stars in the new programme titled 'In The Country', where he attempts to transform his 114-acre farm in West Sussex to what is described as a 'sustainable utopia'. All filming was completed prior to the ongoing SAG strikes.

He is helped along the way by members of his family, while former team-mates also play cameos in the programme.

Former adversaries also play a role in the programme - and that is one word that can be used to describe Gascoigne and Jones in the past.

The Wimbledon midfielder infamously grabbed Gascoigne in his nether regions during a match between 'The Crazy Gang' and Newcastle in 1988 - and then sent him a toilet brush.

But any animosity between the pair is long forgotten, with the England icon joining Jones for a spot of fishing during the programme.

It is then that Gascoigne opens up on his high-profile battles with alcohol addiction, which he has battled with throughout large periods of his adult life.

Now, speaking to Jones, Gascoigne spoke emotionally about his addictions: "Thing is, once I start, that's it. I cannot stop, it's a nightmare.

"It wasn't so much the drink, it was the consequences, Vinnie. God, f***ing hell, the consequences.

"The thing is, when you're in it, you're in it. Do you know what I mean? A nightmare.

"And then you become a loner, no-one wants to speak to you."

UK Discovery)

Following Gascoigne's admission, Jones reflected: "You know, you're so young and you're flying into it, you think it'll never end.

"And here we are - two old farts with a couple of flying rods!"

This April, he competed in the ITV reality show Scared Of The Dark, and opened up: "Unfortunately I've got this addictive personality. I started going to rehab for stupid reasons, you know, that's the addict side of us."

Gascoigne went on to win the competition, and beamed: "I'm so happy. It's unbelievable. I've got my smile back. I'm a better person."

Vinnie Jones In The Country is available to stream now exclusively on discovery+.

Topics: Paul Gascoigne, Football, England

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.