Paul Gascoigne made an apparent online plea for help on Monday following the death of his nephew.
Jay Kerrigan, just 22, was found dead in a Gateshead tower block, in the North East of England, on Sunday morning.
The son of Gazza’s sister Anna, the charity worker had been suffering with drug addiction for some time.
Earlier this year Kerrigan revealed on Facebook the extent of his drug problem: “I’ve done some terrible shit this year and lost all my friends because of it.
“Addiction is a disease, I was born with it. I haven’t smiled in years, I feel trapped. For heaven’s sake I’ve just came out of emergency heart surgery and now I’m back on it again.”
Paul Gascoigne's nephew found dead in Gateshead after addiction battle https://t.co/YRlhSiZi6q
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleLive) May 2, 2016
On Monday Gascoigne went on Twitter to appeal for privacy at this difficult time.
https://twitter.com/gazza8gascoigne/status/727016347411046400
Another more confused tweet suggested the former England international, who has had his own high-profile battle with addiction, would seek help from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
https://twitter.com/gazza8gascoigne/status/727014817635143680
Last month images emerged of the legendary midfielder with numerous facial cuts and bruises following a drinking session that ended an 11-month period of sobriety, but it had been thought he was again in recovery.
This latest family tragedy and Gascoigne’s tweets will concern all those who care for the 48-year-old.
