FRIENDS and family of North-East footballer Paul Gascoigne yesterday played down fears for his health.
Former Newcastle United player Gascoigne, 37, was reportedly admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia and a collapsed lung.
He was reportedly taken to the Princess Grace Hospital, in London, where he was visited by concerned relatives.
But in his native Dunston, Gateshead, friend Jimmy Gardner said: "He is okay, Gazza is absolutly fine."
And in a radio interview, the former England hero's agent, Alex Armitage, said Gascoigne had no serious health problems.
Gazza's father, John, declined to comment, as did his sister, Anna Maria, 38.
She said: "I have not been away from home because I have not been well myself. I do not want to say anything about Paul."
A spokeswoman for the Princess Grace, a 120-bed private hospital, said: "Patient confientiality means we cannot confirm or deny that he is staying here."
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