RUMOURS that Paul Gascoigne had died proved to have been greatly exaggerated - and here is the proof.

The former England and Newcastle United star was pictured tonight very much alive and well.

Gazza was pictured strolling along Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle at 5pm. He and an unknown woman walked across the road before getting into a silver Landrover Discovery with pals.

On Wednesday rumours spread that the troubled star, who has battled alcoholism and depression, had died in hotel room.

Northumbria police took the unusual step of issuing a statement saying the star was alive and well after a flood of calls.

Messageboards lit up with rumours that he had died and one person posted a video on the YouTube website declaring the news to be 100 per cent true.

However, one onlooker said yesterday: "After all the speculation about Gazza being dead this at least proves he is still with us. "

Lifelong friend Jimmy ‘Five Bellies’ Gardner, of Dunston, Gateshead, said: “I have spoken to Paul this morning and he is fit and well. Paul is looking great at the moment, and in fact he could play for Newcastle and do a better job than they are doing right now.

“My phone has never stopped ringing because of these rumours. A friend of mine told me he believes it has originated from a cleaner at a hospital.

“It is simply not true. Take it from me, Paul is fit and well.”

Paul Gatt, the landlord of the Metz Experience, where Gascoigne often drinks, also said the rumours were rubbish.

The 47-year-old, who has been friends with Gazza for around 20 years, said last night: “I have spoken to Gazza within the last hour and he is absolutely fine.

“I don’t know where the rumour has come from but he has decided to keep his head down for a while. It is sick having rumours going around like that.”