Fan steps in to help 'battered and bruised' Gazza after row

TROUBLED Paul Gascoigne was found "battered and bruised" outside a seafront hotel over the Christmas period.

- Paul Jeeves

The 56-year-old England football legend has previously been open about his lengthy battle with drink and drugs.

Gascoigne was seen arguing with a man and woman outside the Travelodge in Bournemouth, where it was claimed he could "barely string a sentence together", before fan Terry Swinton stepped in to help his "hero".

The Good Samaritan newspaper proprietor was enjoying a festive break at the hotel last Thursday when he went outside for a cigarette and spotted Gazza looking worse for wear.

He says that he did not witness a fight but told the pair to "do one" when they allegedly tried to grab a £10 note that he had offered to Gascoigne towards a taxi home.