Paul Gascoigne says sleeping tablets caused him to cut Soccer AM appearance short

Gazza had to leave the Sky Sports programme early after sleeping tablets left him slurring his speech and feeling unwell

Paul Gascoigne has blamed sleeping tablets for having to cut his appearance on live TV show Soccer AM short.

The former Newcastle, Tottenham and England footballer appeared to slur his speech and had to leave the Sky Sports programme early on Saturday morning because he was feeling unwell.

Host John Fendley explained Gascoigne, affectionately known as Gazza, had left the studio early about 45 minutes into the programme.

“I just want to say Gazza was here earlier,” said Fendley.

“Gazza’s not feeling wonderful and he’s not too great so he’s left us so we’ll catch up with you very soon Paul, all the very best mate.”

Gazza's representative revealed the England hero suffers from insomnia and took some sleeping tablets to get a good night's rest before his appearance.

And Gazza himself later rubbished claims he was drunk, tweeting that he had taken some sleeping tablets the night before and was still feeling the effects during the show.

Paul Gascoigne in action during the Help for Heroes Cup match between England and Rest of the World at Madejski Stadium on November 12, 2009, in Reading, England. (Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

“Ha just read some of the tweets some say I’m looking well others say it’s the best they’ve seen me and others are saying I was drunk it’s every time I’m doing well that’s ok I been taking sleeping tablets to try kip that all love GAZZA,” said the 51-year-old.

Gazza has battled alcohol addiction for a number of years and has been in and out of rehab.

He recently split from girlfriend Sara Lovett after just a few months, and asked the public to help him find a new girlfriend via Twitter.

The father-of-three, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, started his career at Newcastle United as a schoolboy, turning professional in 1985.

He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 1988, also starring for Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Burnley throughout a career marked by sublime talent and a fondness for practical jokes.

He made his England debut in 1988, going on to win 57 caps, score 10 goals and help the team to the semi-finals of Italia '90 and Euro '96.