When former England footballer Paul Gascoigne was pictured last week cosying up to new flame Mandy Thomas, his friends were reportedly hoping the romance could give the prolific alcoholic the strength to beat the bottle.

The 47-year-old – who’s fought a very public long-term battle with booze - suffered a relapse in August this year, after seven months of sobriety. Spotted wandering the streets clutching a bottle of gin, Gascoigne was admitted to hospital for a four-day detox.

Sadly, Gascoigne relapsed again last Friday and was sectioned under the Mental Health. He was rushed to hospital at 3am after police were called to his home in Poole, Dorset, and has been placed on a three day emergency detox.

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But despite his latest relapse, sources close to him are hoping 44-year-old mum of two Mandy could be the person 'who saves [Paul] from himself.'

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One woman who understands the challenge they face is Mandy Tines-Mitchell, 45. She met her husband Ed, now 61, in 2005, and at the peak of his alcohol addiction he was homeless, drinking two litres of cider a day.

Radio presenter Ed- who's been sober two years- has credited Mandy with saving his life.

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Mandy - who lives with Ed in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex - says: “I feel so sorry for Paul Gascoigne, finding love could be the key to his recovery. He must want to get better, no one can do that for him, but hopefully with Mandy’s support, he’ll have a motivation.

“Thankfully Ed was never violent or abusive, so I was able to stick by him. It takes a strong person and a lot of patience to put up with someone with an alcohol problem. When I met Ed, he was already a broken man, but I fell in love with him. It hasn’t been easy, but I have no regrets.”

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