FORMER England footballer Paul Gascoigne has revealed how he threw a Rolex watch out of the window at the height of his struggle with drugs because he thought it was "listening" to him.

The star, who played for clubs including Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio during his career, has fought a very public battle with addiction.

Speaking to Alastair Campbell in GQ, revealed that he had gone years at a time without a drink but last fell off the wagon in April, embarking on what he described as "a one-day bender".

The 48-year-old said the height of his cocaine use, a decade ago, was the worst time in his life and described his sense of paranoia as "unbelievable".

He said: "I thought my lighter was listening to us. I had a Rolex and I threw it out the window because I thought it was listening to us."

Gascoigne, who revealed that he prays every day to stay sober, likened being in rehab to his playing days - saying that was the "only time I felt free".

He said: "When I am like this, happy and sober, and I've got my golf and my fishing, they can't touch me. I am happy when I don't have a drink."

The Gateshead-born midfielder said he was in a "good place" when speaking at the launch of a 90 minute documentary charting his life, glittering career and well documented battles with drink, drugs and mental illness.

Gascoigne said he was 33 when he realised he was an alcoholic, having been confused as to why when he woke up at 5am after a night out still wanting a drink.

"I don't look for perfection, I look for progress. I'm in a good place at the moment, I'm happy and I'm enjoying life, may it continue."

The full interview is in the August issue of GQ which is out on Thursday.