Tat’s an interesting collection! Gazza’s unique inkings include a bizarre frowning portrait of daughter Bianca, a tribute to ex-wife Sheryl and a symbolic robin in a locket – after claiming tattoos helped keep him off the booze
- The former Lazio player has amassed around 20 tattoos – many with poignant and symbolic meanings – since his football heyday, even admitting in August 2020 that getting body art keeps him from drinking alcohol
- In summer 2013, Paul got a tattoo of his ex-wife Sheryl’s name on his right bicep – just days before he was arrested for allegedly assaulting her in a drunken rage
- In September 2013, Gazza raised eyebrows when he got a huge portrait of his adopted daughter Bianca, 35, on his back during a six-hour tattoo session
- At the same time, he also had praying hands and a crucifix etched onto his right forearm, honouring his father John
- John died from cancer in 2018 and the 1996 World Cup legend told of how he did not cope well with the death of his father, who put him in a mental institution after he visited cop killer Raoul Moat
- The star’s tattoos include strong religious symbolism, in 2015 it was claimed he had turned to God with help with his battle against alcoholism
He is making waves with his appearance on the Italian version of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
But as Paul Gascoigne descended onto a remote desert island in Honduras, Central America, the former England ace, 53, was also garnering attention for his incredible array of tattoos.
The former Lazio player – who has long battled alcoholism- has amassed around 20 tattoos – many with poignant and symbolic meanings – since his football heyday, even admitting in August 2020 that getting body art keeps him from drinking alcohol.
MailOnline takes a closer look at Gazza’s numerous inkings, which include tributes to family, religious emblems and empowering phrases…
Inked up: Paul Gascoigne, 53, has been garnering attention for his incredible array of tattoos (pictured Tuesday)
EX-WIFE’S NAME ON BICEP
His inspiration: Gazza has tattoo tributes to ex-wife Sheryl and adopted daughter Bianca (pictured 2013)
Inked: In summer 2013, Paul got a tattoo of his ex-wife Sheryl’s name on his right bicep – just days before he was arrested for allegedly assaulting her in a drunken rage
In summer 2013, Paul got a tattoo of his ex-wife Sheryl’s name on his right bicep – just days before he was arrested for allegedly assaulting her in a drunken rage.
The Ex-Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers and Everton star was understood to have splashed out on the £100 tattoo to show he still loved her and to thank her for her support during his recovery.
According to The Sun, Gazza went to see Sheryl to show her the tattoo before he was arrested.
He got the tattoo at Extreme Needle in Leicester Square, central London, where a source told The Sun: ‘Staff were gobsmacked when Gazza came in asking for a tattoo.
‘He didn’t smell of drink, but it could be another sign he is not in the right state of mind.’
Paul was later fined £1,000 for a drunken assault on train guard – but the charge of attacking his ex-wife Sheryl was dropped.
The pair were married from 1996-1998 and share one son Regan.
Sheryl had to endure years of physical and emotional bullying, but she still stood by him after their divorce in 1998.
Oh wow: In September 2013, Gazza raised eyebrows when he got a huge portrait of his adopted daughter Bianca, 35, on his back in a six-hour tattoo session (above right)
BIANCA’S FROWNING FACE
In September 2013, Gazza raised eyebrows when he got a huge portrait of his adopted daughter Bianca, 35, on his back in a six-hour tattoo session.
The portrait showed Bianca pulling a sullen face, which was forever immortalised on the star’s skin.
He also has his adopted son Mason’s name on his right shoulderblade.
The pair’s relationship has endured many ups and downs over the years after Paul adopted Bianca and brother Mason during his marriage to her mother Sheryl Gascoigne.
During her stint in Celebrity Big Brother in January Bianca said of her dad: ‘I think he needs to go into rehab for a very long time I think. Fingers, hair, eyelashes, everything crossed.
Bianca described her stepfather as a ‘big part’ of her life and continued: ‘If I could wave a magic wand to help him I would.’
Craft: Paul is pictured during his six hour tattoo session to get Bianca’s portrait etched onto his back
PARENTS
Family: Paul has the Chinese characters for mother and father on his abdomen along with a praying hands symbol adorned with ‘Mum and Dad’
At the same time, he also had praying hands and a crucifix etched onto his right forearm, honouring his father John.
John died from cancer in 2018 and the 1996 World Cup legend told of how he did not cope well with the death of his father, who put him in a mental institution after he visited cop killer Raoul Moat.
He also has a praying hands tattoo over his heart with the words ‘Mum and dad’ etched below.
The tributes to his parents continue on his abdomen with the Chinese characters for mother and father, with the word Love emblazoned below.
In November 2013, Paul got a robin in a heart-shaped locket on his back in honour of his father, joining a huge tiger tattoo and Bianca’s portrait.
He visited Bournemouth Ink Studio five days in a row – with the parlour becoming so used to seeing him it considered him ‘part of the family’ – with the star taking to playing his harmonica when he visited.
There it is: In November 2013, Paul got a robin in a heart-shaped locket on his back in honour of his father, joining a huge tiger tattoo and Bianca’s portrait
He knocked out a string of tunes with the mouth organ for staff at the tattoo studio while he received his latest body art including his ex-wife Sheryl’s name.
He performed his own renditions of Ray Charles’ Hit the Road Jack as well as songs by Phil Collins and Van Morrison while sat on a reclining chair.
Other tattoos Gascoigne include a heart with wings on his left forearm to show he wears his heart on his sleeve.
And staff at Bournemouth Ink have said it waives the costs of his tattoos as they see it as a way of keeping him out of the local pubs and off-licences.
Tattooist Robbie Matthews said: ‘Gazza has been in five days in a row now but he doesn’t get tattoos done every day – sometimes he comes in to look at art work or just for a chat.
‘He’s even started playing the harmonica – it’s hardly ever out of his mouth.
‘He’s only been learning for four days and he’s not as good as he thinks he is.
Emotional: Other tattoos Gascoigne include a heart with wings on his left forearm to show he wears his heart on his sleeve
‘He loves Van Morrison and Phil Collins so he tries to play along to the songs while he’s getting his tattoos done.
‘It was funny when Gazza walked into the studio the first time because I’d actually met him a few times back home. He recognised me and I’ve been doing his tattoos ever since.
‘I did the picture of Bianca on his back and I’ve just finished a robin in a heart-shaped locket on his back.
‘Gazza wanted the robin because he said every time he sees a robin it reminds him of his dad.
‘It was my idea to do the heart on his forearm because it’s symbolic of Gascoigne – he wears his heart on his sleeve.
‘Gazza says he has started to get tattoos done as a way of coping with his demons.
‘We don’t charge him for the tattoos – we’d rather he was with us than down the boozer.’
In August 2020 the England legend was a picture of happiness as he got a new tattoo – a love heart on his left wrist.
Inked up: He has a tattoo reading ‘I Fear Not’ on his right pectoral which symbolises that he is not afraid anymore
The star visited South Coast Ink Super Studio in Bournemouth to get the artwork done.
The former playmaker was clearly delighted with the efforts of head artist Robert Williamson as he posed for a selfie, while sitting in the chair.
As well as that Gascoigne signed a replica England home shirt for the Bournemouth-based company.
Speaking about the visit, the studio were delighted by Gascoigne’s presence as they wrote on their Facebook page: ‘Today we had a visit from the legend @paul_gascoigne8 he had a tattoo done by our head artist @robstats.
‘We’re truly blessed to have him by.’
He later told the Daily Star he was staying off the drink by getting tattoos, saying: ‘It’s my new addiction. I’m off booze.
Inked up: The England star exuded confidence in Central America as he showed off his tattoos (pictured Monday)
‘I’m getting tattoos because I love them and I’ve got f*****g nothing else to do.”
Gazza added: ‘If I don’t go to the tattooists, I’ll go to the pub and drink. To be honest, I’d rather go to my tattooist.’
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM
Religious? The star sports a barbed wire tattoo around his arm which is thought to signify Jesus’ crown of thorns
The star’s tattoos include strong religious symbolism, in 2015 it was claimed he had turned to God with help with his battle against alcoholism.
He has a tattoo reading ‘I Fear Not’ on his right pectoral which symbolises that he is not afraid anymore.
The star sports a barbed wire tattoo around his arm which is thought to signify Jesus’ crown of thorns.
Gazza also had a ‘devil’ panther etched on his right bicep which he had done in Mexico.
Some of Paul’s tattoos he hasn’t publicly revealed the meaning of – including what appear to be scripture quotes on his left forearm and a large rose and butterfly.
Loves it: In August 2020 the England legend was a picture of happiness as he got a new tattoo – a love heart on his left wrist – he later told the Daily Star he was staying off the drink by getting tattoos, saying: ‘It’s my new addiction. I’m off booze. He has not revealed the meanings behind his rose and butterfly tattoo
Can’t get enough: He visited Bournemouth Ink Studio five days in a row in 2013- with the parlour becoming so used to seeing him it considered him ‘part of the family’ – with the star taking to playing his harmonica when he visited
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