FALLEN football hero Paul Gascoigne avoided a bankruptcy hearing in London tomorrow after settling his differences with the taxman.

His name has been taken out of the list scheduled for hearing at the High Court after HM Revenue and Customs dropped the case.

The taxman had applied for a bankruptcy petition in November last year after Gascoigne was said to have failed to file tax returns for the past two years.

It was agreed to give Gascoigne a nine-week breathing space to put his affairs in order over the debt of an estimated £200,000 liability.

His solicitor, Craig Montgomery, said after the first hearing: "There is no suggestion that he doesn't have the funds to meet his tax liabilities. It is just a question of having time to make the returns.

"Gascoigne does not have a regular income," he said. "It comes from books and appearances, and he has overseas interests.

"It takes time to work out where everything is, said Mr Montgomery".

The 41-year-old former footballer, who has been treated for alcohol and mental health problems, was once one of football's highest paid stars. He became a millionaire overnight when he was transferred from Newcastle to Spurs in 1988.

He secured a £1.25m-a-year deal with Italian club Lazio in 1992 on top of a £1m-a-year boot sponsorship contract.

He was still earning £1m a year after joining Rangers in 1995 and £30,000-a-week from Middlesbrough in 1998.

When he was the star of the England squad, he won a £2m sponsorship deal from Puma, the sports clothing maker, £500,000 with Brut aftershave and £300,000 for Walkers Crisps ads.

He also secured a £2.5m deal with Adidas.

At one stage it was reported that he was worth £14m.

He played for England 57 times, scored ten goals for his country and was always popular with fans.