Former England soccer star Paul Gascoigne has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

He was detained after Northumbria Police arrived on Wednesday night to a hotel in Gateshead.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Police attended the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead yesterday 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 troubled history of emotional instability and erratic behaviour.

Once regarded as one of the world's best footballers, Gascoigne's playing career was plagued by personal problems, many linked to his heavy drinking.

He has has been treated on a number of occasions for drink and mental health problems.

In 2005, he was hospitalised with pneumonia, sparking fears over his long-term health, and last year he underwent emergency surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer.

He has also had several run-ins with the police over the years.

A spokeswoman for Hilton Hotels said Gascoigne had been at the hotel for only a day.

She said there was no trouble before police arrived.

"He had only been staying with us for one night. He checked in on Wednesday morning,'' she said.

"The call actually came in from the police so it was not from the Hilton.

"From our end the police call came in and we were obviously happy to help but there was nothing that happened at the hotel to make us think that there was anything wrong and once the police arrived that evening, he was escorted peacefully away.''

She added: "It's a very sensitive situation.''

No members of staff at the hotel were available to comment.

Northumbria Police said the individual detained at the Hilton had been involved in another incident at the Malmaison Hotel in Newcastle earlier on Wednesday.

A spokesman said: "Police were called to Malmaison in Newcastle at 4.24am on Wednesday February 20 after reports that a guest was behaving in a disorderly manner towards other guests.

"The man was spoken to by police and left the hotel.''

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