LONDON - PAUL Gascoigne's son fears that the former England midfielder is losing his struggle against alcoholism and mental health problems.

'He's probably going to die soon,' 12-year-old Regan Gascoigne told a British TV channel in a documentary to be shown next year.

'I don't think there's any point helping him - we're wasting our time. If I could wish, I would wish that he would go away from us.

'Everyone thinks he's Gazza but because he's the top player doesn't mean he's a good dad or a good person to be with, does it, really?'

The Channel Four film crew tracked down the 41-year-old fallen footballer at a hotel in Portugal.

'I've got food disorder, got bipolar, mood swings, anxiety,' he said, in extracts released Saturday. 'I drank when I was sad. And yes, I must admit I thought of dying.'

The gifted player dazzled at the 1990 World Cup in the high point of a 57-game international career that was cut short by injuries and off-field troubles, including heavy drinking.

The former Tottenham and Lazio player's woes heightened this year with police arresting him on suspicion of causing criminal damage and twice detaining him for mental health problems. -- AP