FORMER soccer star Paul Gascoigne has laid bare his demons in front of 1,000 fans in a tell-all stage show to help him get over his alcohol addiction.

The former England player took to the stage for a no-holds-barred question and answer session.

The event paired him with fellow reformed alcoholic Jimmy Greaves, at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre. Gazza, 44, received two standing ovations from the audience, who chanted their support throughout.

He spoke of his regret in not signing for Manchester United – and said he still has an outraged letter from Sir Alex Ferguson calling him a “fat b*****d”.

Among his many footballing anecdotes, he told how he spent the night before the 1990 World Cup semi-final playing tennis with strangers when he was supposed to be in bed.

And, during the same tournament, how he even managed to dupe legendary manager Sir Bobby Robson into believing he was drinking milkshakes instead of cocktails.

The event, which is the first of eight shows held around the country, was the brainchild of the Providence Project, the Bournemouth alcohol treatment centre Gazza still attends to beat his addiction.

The ex-England star, who was cheered by fellow clients of the Providence Project who came to support him, said: “I am an alcoholic. It’s not a bad word. I am it and I’ve got to get on with it.”