Paul Gascoigne ‘in a strong place’ after his dad John’s tragic death from cancer
FOOTBALL legend Paul Gascoigne is in "a strong place" after his dad lost a brave battle with cancer last night, according to pals.
Fans feared for the England and Spurs legend's well-being in the hours after the tragedy - but a friend of Gazza's told The Sun Online that he's doing well considering the circumstances.
Gazza, 50, was sent into a tailspin when his nephew Jay Kerrigan committed suicide in 2016.
But pals are determined to stop a repeat of what he described as "the hardest 12 months of my life".
One said: "Paul is in a strong place and his Dad is now at peace".
Last night his sister Lindsay paid tribute by posting a picture of their dad on Facebook.
She was inundated with messages of love and support from scores of friends.
Gillian Wombwell said: "Oh no...I'm so sorry for your loss Lindsay.. he was such a lovely man always made me smile... I know u'll b heartbroken..
"Sending all my love.. Xxxx."
Helen Spring Turner posted: "So sorry Lindsay thoughts are with you and your family xx" Christine Clark said: "I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Always a lovely gentleman with a lovely smile."
And Jennifer Hindmarsh Plummer said: "So sorry for your loss thinking of all the family."
John was Gazza's biggest fan during his career - and his rock when the former Spurs and England ace battled drink and drugs addictions.
John was forced to quit work though illness when Gazza was only nine. He was on the dole when he and his ex-wife Carol brought up their four children but he always made sure that Gazza had a football and boots.
When Gazza hit the big time he paid his dad back over and over again - he bought him a house, a Merc and at one stage a £70,000 Rolls Royce.
A family friend said: "Gazza was incredibly close to his father.
"This will devastate him, as it will with all the family.
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"John was always there for Paul every step of the way - through the good times at the height of his career and the bad.
"Paul knew he could always return to his dad who would love and support him whatever scrapes he had got into.
"They were incredibly close. Paul will really miss him." This is the second tragedy to hit the family in a couple of years.
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