Football icon Paul Gascoigne has been spotted at a North East market after surprising stallholders and shoppers earlier this week.

The ex-footballer, who played for Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Rangers, Lazio, and Tottenham among others, shocked those who were lucky enough to be in Stockton Market on Saturday (September 30).

Over the last few years, the star, who is affectionately known as Gazza, has been spotted out and about less and less - but his most recent appearance, which saw him in a photo with a pie stallholder in Stockton, delighted people online.

Read more: Paul Gascoigne pays a visit to Tomahawk in Newcastle

Posting on his social media page, 'John The Pieman' who owns JustLovesPies.co.uk included an image with him and Gazza along with the story of how the picture came about. 

The post read: "I have the greatest pleasure to announce that I met Paul Gascoigne on Saturday.

"I was busy serving delicious homemade pies made fresh that morning when one of my customers emitted an extraordinary question. "Did Paul Gascoigne just walk past your stall?"

"Clearly, the man was delusional. However, I did see a small bald-headed man heading towards the Sun Inn car park.

"So I took a punt, and shouted, "PAUL!" The man turned round. I mean, what are the odds? So I asked if I could have a selfie.

"He gave me a thumbs up. Great. Although I was thinking it might just be a bloke called Paul.

"Unfortunately I couldn't find my phone.

The Northern Echo: Gazza at Stockton MarketGazza at Stockton Market (Image: JUSTLOVEPIES.CO.UK)

"Luckily, after five minutes, he was still there. So I ran over, not really believing it was him, to be honest. It was him. Paul Gascoigne in the flesh. Arguably the greatest English football of all time.

"I did mention I was a Sunderland supporter. He laughed and said Mackem Attackem. So I got my phone ready for the ultimate selfie. And realised it was on a 30-second timer. Got to be honest. Stood in the Sun Inn car park for 30 seconds, posing for a photo with one of the greatest footballers to have ever lived.

"Was a little bit awkward. But Wow. I met Gazza. And shook his hand. Twice. I'm taking it.

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"Even if my entire family don't believe me, despite the photographic evidence.!

In the comments section, people were delighted to see Gazza in Stockton, with some saying: "What a legend," while others joked that it must have been Gazza who asked John the Pieman for a picture, not the other way around. 

Some even suggested that the photo may not have happened, with one person saying: "This is surely not a real photo," but the stallholder insisted that the photo was genuine.

It's believed that the ex-footballer was in the North East after appearing alongside Vinnie Jones at Rainton Arena on Saturday. 

Earlier this year, Gazza was seen in Bournemouth greeting Prince William in a Pret A Manger. In a bizarre twist of fate, he kissed the Prince on the cheek before having a brief chat with him.