Paul Gascoigne ‘could be forced to pull out of Italian I’m A Celebrity’

Paul Gascoigne’s recent shoulder injury could reportedly see him be forced to pull out of the Italian reality show Island Of The Famous.

The former England star, 53, could be seen gripping his arm in pain after completing an assault course with his fellow islanders on the endurance based TV series – Italy’s version of the globally syndicated I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

According to The Sun, producers of the series met on Saturday evening to discuss whether Paul is fit enough to continue on with the show.

Ouch: Paul Gascoigne’s recent shoulder injury could reportedly see him be forced to pull out of the Italian reality show Island Of The Famous

The former footballer was flown to hospital on Thursday for emergency check-ups after his injury, forcing him to temporarily pull out of filming.  

A friend of Paul’s told the publication: ‘He’s dislocated his shoulder. It’s such a shame as he was doing so well.

‘He’s resting while the medical team check him out. The producers are very concerned.

‘He may be pulled out. There are insurance issues as well for them to consider.’

Talks: According to The Sun, producers of the series met on Saturday evening to discuss whether Paul is fit enough to continue on with the show

Talks: According to The Sun, producers of the series met on Saturday evening to discuss whether Paul is fit enough to continue on with the show

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Paul Gascoigne for comment.   

Paul appeared to be in the midst of completing an assault course with his fellow Islanders when he got his injury, stripping down to a pair of red beach shorts and a blue life vest.

The sportsman had to dash across the beach before climbing over a netted wall, wading through another cargo net and climbing onto the platform to shoot a ball through a basketball hoop. 

The celebrities were competing to win a treat of spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, but it was soon clear that Paul had injured himself. 

Injury:

Nasty injury: The former England star could be seen gripping his arm in pain after completing an assault course with his fellow islanders on the endurance based TV series

Gripping his arm in pain, the host could be heard saying: ‘What’s happened to Paul, he looks in trouble?’

Contestant Gilles Rocca helped Paul away from the cameras to the medical team and correspondent Massimiliano Rosolino told viewers: ‘He hurt his shoulder. The doctor is there and he helped him right away. I don’t know how he is but we have an extraordinary team.’

He later confirmed: ‘Paul is with the medics but the initial view is that he is not seriously hurt.’

Paul was then noticeably absent for the rest of that evening’s show, and missed the latest round of nominations. 

The former Newcastle United and England footballer is currently in Honduras after jetting to the Central Americas country for an appearance on the gruelling series. 

Close call: Contestant Gilles Rocca helped Paul away from the cameras to waiting a medical team

Close call: Contestant Gilles Rocca helped Paul away from the cameras to waiting a medical team

It comes amid reports that Gazza is being paid around 7,000 euros (£5,981) for each week he is taking part in the show.

According to the newspaper Il Messaggero, the sportsman has signed a contract for the weekly fee alongside actress Vera Gemma, actor Brando Giorgi, former Italian Strictly star Giles Rocca and actor Roberto Ciufoli.

TV presenter Elisa Isoardi is reportedly the contestant who has signed for the highest weekly wage, 15,000 euros (£12,816).

Paul had been studying Italian as he waited to fly out to the island.

A source previously told The Sun: ‘Paul has a basic grasp of Italian and he can make himself understood… But what we really want to avoid is having subtitles too often as that would ruin it.

Dramatic: Gripping his arm in pain, the host could be heard saying: 'What's happened to Paul, he looks in trouble?'

Dramatic: Gripping his arm in pain, the host could be heard saying: ‘What’s happened to Paul, he looks in trouble?’

‘The idea is to get him up to a good conversational level so he can talk with the other competitors. We are expecting some exciting TV from Paul.’

Paul had also spoken to the publication in his native tongue about his strengths and what he will bring to camp.

Asked what he can offer his 14 fellow campers, Paul said: ‘I’m good at fishing,’ before adding: ‘My best quality is that I can make people laugh and I’m always laughing.’

A source said: ‘Paul is in top form. He told producers he has spent lockdown in England keeping fit by running and cycling, and it’s certainly paid off. He looks phenomenal and has a physique any man half his age would be proud of.’

The former footballer made a dramatic debut as he arrived via a helicopter and had to jump into the ocean from a height and swim to the island.

Epic show: The former footballer made a dramatic debut as he arrived via a helicopter and had to jump into the ocean from a height and swim to the island

Epic show: The former footballer made a dramatic debut as he arrived via a helicopter and had to jump into the ocean from a height and swim to the island