London - A close friend of the soccer star Paul Gascoigne - "Gazza" - has died of a suspected heart attack in a Tyneside hotel room after a night out with the Middlesbrough player and his best friend Jimmy "Five Bellies" Gardner.
It is the latest blow to hit the troubled soccer star who over recent weeks has been dogged by adverse publicity about his drinking habits. This week England manager Glenn Hoddle's autobiography revealed how Gazza "trashed" his room after being told he was to be dropped from the World Cup team.