Paul Gascoigne has spoken of the extent of his terrifying descent into insanity.

Gazza, who starred for England, Tottenham and Newcastle, has spoken candidly about the past 12 months of his life and outlined the troubles he faced.

On one occasion he was dragged from a bath by police after fears he would kill himself while on another he snorted cocaine in a nightclub toilet.

Gascoigne, 41, told The Sun newspaper over a six-week period he couldn't sleep and drank hundreds of bottles of wine and gin.

At one point he was so disturbed he thought his two toy parrots were talking to him and he ordered three pints, one for himself and one for each of the birds.

Gazza, who is now recovering after a month in rehab clinic, was sectioned three times under the Mental Health Act during the 12-month period.

"I was staring into the abyss but now the future looks great for me. I can't say I will never drink again - all I can say is that I didn't drink today and I hope I don't drink tomorrow."