Geordie favourite Paul Gascoigne has been forced to bow out of trials on the Italian TV show Celebrity Island after the painful shoulder injury which landed him in hospital.
It's game over for the football legend as far as the trials are concerned as the show's bosses have brought him back to the show under strict health and safety guidelines.
Gateshead-born Gazza dislocated his shoulder during an assault course trial to win food and spent a week in hospital recovering from his injury.
When he said he wanted to return to Isola dei Famosi - the Italian version of the reality show - the 53-year-old, wearing a shoulder brace, made an emotional return to the island off Honduras where he now will have a proper bed, instead of sleeping on the ground, and will not take part in any more trials, reports The Mirror.
It added that Gazza had to be sedated and given oxygen so that his shoulder could be "popped back in place" and that the show's producers then held talks with insurers before the comeback.
The former star of the pitch was greeted with kisses and hugs from his campmates, including former air hostess Daniela Martani, upon his return and he told them: "I've missed you all but I haven't missed not eating.
"I'm ready to go again and I'm OK."
The show's co-host Massimiliano Rosolino is quoted as saying: "It's been a tough few days for Paul. It has been very intense for him.
"He took a knock which was a lot more serious than we initially thought but no-one, no-one, can leave Paul Gascoigne on the bench."
He added: "For Paul there will be no further trials and he won't be sleeping on the floor. He will have a proper camp bed so as tempting as it is, hands off, it's for Paul only."
Gazza, from Dunston, is said to be taking part in the competition in honour of his late nephew Jay Lennon Gascoigne, who died in 2016.
If he wins, he aims to donate the prize to a charity founded in the memory of Jay whose death was said to be caused by an accidental overdose triggered by 'Pure OCD', a rare disorder which overwhelmed him with intrusive thoughts.
Gazza told Italian magazine TV Sorrisi e Canzone: "If I win, I will give the prize money to a charity founded by my family in memory of my nephew."
Gazza’s sister, and Jay’s mum, Anna Kerrigan called him an "amazing brother" for taking part in the series.
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