EXCLUSIVE: Paul Gascoigne admits he loves being labelled 'a national treasure'
IT'S been 25 years since the whole country cried with Paul Gascoigne on the night of that fateful semi-final during Italia 1990, but the footballing legend is no less of a national treasure a quarter of a century down the line.
Paul Gascoigne revealed he loves being a national treasure
The 48-year-old's glittering career is the focus of a new feature-length documentary and – although he's struggled with some of the trappings of fame – the controversial star admits he likes his status as a national hero.
"I love it!" Gazza told Express.co.uk during an exclusive interview. "I keep saying it to people because the Arsenal chairman said to me 'come on Gazza, stay good because you're a national treasure' and I started laughing.
"So if anyone p***es me off I say, 'listen, you're talking to a national treasure'," Gazza joked.
He continued: "It's nice to have because people forget I've done a lot for a lot of people, but I've always felt if I can make someone happy for just five minutes then it gives me a buzz."
The footballing hero is the focus of new feature length documentary Gascoigne
The film tracks the ups and downs of Gazza's career and life
Gascoigne was directed and written by BAFTA winner Jane Preston and features interviews from Paul himself, as well as former teammate Gary Lineker, Jose Mourinho and Wayne Rooney.
The documentary tracks the ups and downs of the Gateshead-born sportsman's life, with particular emphasis on the moment a legend was born after the 1990 World Cup, making 'Gazza' a household name.
It may just be a nickname for some, but to the man himself 'Gazza' reflects a different persona to that of Paul Gascoigne.
"I love being Gazza. I just think Paul Gascoigne is too serious and I don't like that. I'm a bit like Peter Pan, I don't want to grow up," he explained.
Gazza said he's feeling 'on form' at the moment
Paul hopes the movie will introduce his footballing achievements to a new generation
Gascoigne focuses on Paul's success at the 1990 World Cup, which sadly ended in tears
"When I'm on form and I'm enjoying life, that’s the Gazza side and so was when I was playing football. Sometimes I like being Paul Gascoigne, but when I become Paul Gascoigne I feel boring, I think I'm posh and it doesn't sit with me."
However, Paul concedes he had to give the fun-loving side of his personality a break during filming as the documentary tackled some of his demons – from personal tragedies to his battles with booze and the press.
"When I did the film I sometimes just had to let Gazza go because somethings were really painful," he admitted.
"It was hard bringing up the old stuff, because a lot of people bring up the past but for me the past is gone – I look forward to the next day.
"In any movie, people always remember the start and the finish – and I haven't finished yet."
The star admitted reliving his past is hard and he prefers to look forward
The footballer also said Gazza and Paul Gascoigne are two of his different personas
In the 25 years that have passed since 1990 there's potentially a whole generation of football fans who have come to know Gazza more for his struggles than his prowess on the pitch.
When asked how he feels about this, the star gave a glimpse of his trademark humour, joking: "There's potentially more botox."
But allowing his more reflective side to take over, Paul said: "Yeah, obviously the younger generation might watch it and think 'wow', I'd like them to say 'what a great player he was'.
"Whatever has been written about me really badly has been over the last 10 years, people forget I've only drank for four months out of six years.
"It's what people believe and the film gives them a chance to look at what's really been going on."
The documentary follows Gazza from his early days at Newcastle
He added: "It was my chance to give something back. They don't know what it's like in the life of Paul Gascoigne or Gazza, well Gazza doesn't give s***, but Paul Gascoigne does."
Despite the film giving him a voice, Paul is still sceptical about what the press might have to say.
He said: "They're going to be sitting outside my house again. I go to buy some cigarettes or something and they say I'm buying booze. It's never going to end.
"It's not going to be more positive, I just deal with it. It's when they write lies I can't hack it. This gives me a chance to give my side."
Gascoigne is going to be released on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download on June 15.