Paul Gascoigne has said that he’s “the happiest” he’s been in five years following his addiction struggles, updating fans on his health in an emotional interview.

The former footballer played for England at the height of his career, but has struggled off the pitch – having battled alcoholism and depression for decades.

However, the 59-year-old revealed that “things are looking up” for him – and that he’s hoping to help others with his new book.

“Everything’s going well for us,” he told Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid and Ed Balls on Wednesday (10 June).

“It’s probably the happiest I’ve been in about five years, definitely, you know.”

When asked why, he added: “Just in general, you know. The weather’s changed and [I] went and did a bit of fly-fishing and got deals with the book coming out.

“When I played football, you knew what you were doing from Monday until Monday, but now when you wake up on a Monday, you think, ‘What am I going to do?’ You’ve got to find things to do. But like I said, things are looking up and I’m quite happy, you know.”

The ex-midfielder became emotional as he spoke about his latest autobiography, Eight, in which he looks back at his career and addiction troubles.

“A lot of people have come up and said they’ve read it and it’s saved their life. If that book can save one person’s life, then I’ve done my job,” he said through tears. “I think I should read it myself, you know! Do myself a favour.”

The footballer, who became addicted to Red Bull while tackling sobriety and drank up to 30 cans a day at one point, said that he now takes each day as it comes.

“Every morning, I don’t think about tomorrow because that’s another day. I just try to keep it in the day, keep it simple. Some days I find it hard,” he said. “I don’t try to think weeks ahead because I don’t know about tomorrow. All I know is I’m safe today.

“It used to be a battle for me every time I woke up, a big battle but now it’s easier to get up. I get a coffee and I know what I’m going to do with the day ahead.”

Fighting tears again at the end of the interview, Gascoigne said: “If [the book] saves someone’s life, then I’m happy. Sorry about that… The last time I cried was in the World Cup! But I’m in a good place.”

Last year, Gascoigne reflected on hitting “rock bottom” in 1998 when he contemplated suicide in Stevenage after a four-day drinking binge in Ireland.

It came after he had failed to make the England squad for what would have been his second World Cup and the death of his close friend from acute alcohol poisoning.

He told The Sunday Times in November that his then-wife Sheryl, who he married in 1996 and divorced two years later, “talked me round” and he was put on suicide watch at a hospital in Hampshire.

The same month, he admitted to the Daily Mirror that he continues to relapse despite multiple stints in rehab for alcoholism, saying: “I have not changed, I cannot change, I would not know how to change.

“I will probably die as Gazza. But I have nothing to hide. The whole country knows what I have done now.”

Paul Gascoigne: Eight was released in October last year.

If you have been affected by this article, you can contact the following organisations for support: actiononaddiction.org.uk, mind.org.uk, nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth, mentalhealth.org.uk.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.