Thirty years ago, Paul Gascoigne was arguably the most famous man in the country.
Following his tears at World Cup Italia ‘90, the former Newcastle United star had become a national hero.
The 23-year-old Spurs midfielder found himself on the front pages of the tabloid newspapers, as often as the back, at a time before various troubles began to cloud his life.
As Gazzamania swept Britain, Gazza found himself involved in everything from modelling for a Madame Tussaud’s waxwork, to being made an honorary member of Oxford University’s junior common room, to turning down a cameo role in TV’s Byker Grove.
Among a whirlwind of personal appearances and media events, Dunston-born Gascoigne even managed to have a hit record.
Linking up with Geordie folk rock legends, Lindisfarne, Gazza recorded an inimitable ‘rap’ version of their classic track, Fog On The Tyne.
Originally released as the title track of Lindisfarne’s chart-topping album in 1972, this new version of the Alan Hull-penned song went on to reach number 2 in the singles charts in the run-up to Christmas 1990.
With the song “in the can”, however, filming the promotional video for the song this week in 1990 - around Newcastle and on a boat on the Tyne - proved to be a little tricky.
The Chronicle reported: “While Gazza’s timing might be perfect on the football field, when it came to filming the video, he was a bit off the mark.”
Director Geoff Wonfor, famous for his work with the The Tube and other major music projects, revealed: “The only problem we had was Paul’s sense of timing. He just couldn’t get his cue right.
“We would say on the count of two or four and he just kept laughing, asking 'when do I come in?'
“He’s a great lad and we laughed the whole time. I think he’s a natural star.”
As Gazza and Lindisfarne stormed up the charts, there was even talk of an album, with the star’s mum, Carol, revealing that tracks would include Elvis Presley’s Let’s Have A Party, and The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love.
In the event, Gazza would enjoy one more chart hit, Geordie Boys, which reached a modest 31 as 1990 drew to a close.
