Gazza’s grief over addict nephew
TROUBLED football legend Paul Gascoigne told last night of his devastation over the death of his drug addict nephew.
Distraught Gazza, who has battled his own booze and drug demons for years, spoke out after the body of 22- year- old Jay Kerrigan was found slumped in a tower block.
Jay – the son of Paul’s actress sister Anna – had claimed only weeks ago he was “born” with addiction and had gone back to drugs despite having an emergency heart op.
Following the tragedy former England, Spurs and Newcastle hero Gazza, 48, posted a series of incoherent messages on Twitter.
In one he wrote: “I love my family. I’m crying my ******* eyes out I’m honest please leave all concerned alone X.”
Gazza also posted a photo of a text message from his sister describing Jay’s recent struggles.
Jay had lived with Anna, stepdad Michael and sister Harley, 20, in the family’s home town of Gateshead.
He was found in Warwick Court, a 10- storey block of flats where tenants pay just £ 85 a week rent, at 12.30am on Saturday.
In a message on Facebook his stepdad, a drummer and band promoter, wrote: “Broken hearts you’ve left behind, peacefulness you have found, stay safe our shining star, our beautiful son you’re never far.”
It is understood Jay had been working for environmental charity Groundwork North East.
But recent messages he posted told of his grim continuing torment. In one he wrote: “Addiction is a dis- ease. I was born with it. I haven’t smiled in years. I feel trapped. For heavens sake I’ve just came out of emergency heart surgery and now I’m back on it again.”
On other occasions Jay admitted losing friends because of his troubles and even talked of suicide.
The cause of his death was not known last night but police do not believe anyone else is involved.
Ironically, three years ago Jay pleaded with his famous uncle to quit drink before it killed him.
He said at the time: “I know Paul
Drinking
will come and see us when he is well again. I was hoping he was over the drinking last time and that was it.
“My grandma is really against alcohol. Paul has had a bad life with it and she is quite vocal about that. I know grandad feels the same way.
“He knows we are all here for him. It would be nice to see him settle down, have a normal family life.”
Jay’s 49- year- old mum spent years supporting her brother in his own battles with alcohol, drug addiction and mental health problems.
In 2008 she went public to ask fans to stop buying Gazza drinks if they wanted him to survive.