The 40-year-old was detained last night after police were called to a hotel in Gateshead.

The police say nobody was injured during the incident.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Police attended the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead on Wednesday evening after we received a report of concern for a 40-year-old man staying at the hotel."

"The man was detained under the Mental Health Act and no-one was injured during the incident."

Gascoigne has had a history of emotional instability and erratic behaviour. He has has been treated on a number of occasions for drink and mental health problems.

In 2003, he underwent treatment against drink and depression in the United States. He signed for Boston United in 2004 but left, partly as a result of the club refusing to let him participate in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

In 2005, he was hospitalised with pneumonia and last year he underwent emergency surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer.

He was most recently manager of Kettering Town. He had also played for Lazio and Rangers. Gascoigne earned 57 England caps and scored ten goals for his country during his football career.