VINNIE’S TV VOW TO FALLEN STAR
FOOTBALL hardman Vinnie Jones tomorrow night reveals how he has been helping Paul Gascoigne beat his booze demons and now calls him his “younger brother”.
And Gazza breaks down in tears at the pair’s close friendship and d sobs:
“He has always ways been there.”
Vinnie is a guest on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories.
He is the first celebrity to return to the show in an episode piwith recorded with the host, inset, under social distancing guidelines with an audience of just 45.
Ex- Wimbledon midfielder Vinnie famously squeezed the Newcastle star’s privates in 1988.
But now they are close pals and regard one another as “family”.
Vinnie, 55, who is seven years sober after fighting alcoholism, has been helping the Geordie with his own booze problems.
Vinnie says: “Drink gives you confidence to always be the clown.
“His safety net has been the alcohol in his mind. “These last couple of years have been intense and Paul has struggled. I feel I need to be there now. “All I have said to him is ‘ You can tr trust me’.
“He is not a grea great friend to m me – he is family. ily He is like a younger b brother.
“For the pe people who go ‘ Go Good old Gazz Gazza’, there are times w when he is in a dark place. It’s for us now to open the door and bring some light into this life. We will get there, boy!” Gazza, 53, in the audience, says: “He has always been there for us. Any time. “Whenever I’m in trouble – even though he is in America – Vinnie seems to know and calls and I’m like ‘ I am sorry. Never again’. “He is a wonderful guy.” Piers Morgan’s Life Stories tomorrow, 10pm, ITV.