Paul Gascoigne’s son Regan, 25, praises his dad for ‘accepting’ his bisexuality

Paul Gascoigne’s son Regan has praised his famous father for ‘accepting’ his bisexuality and ‘putting him at ease’.

The dancer, 25, publicly revealed his sexuality for the first during an interview in November 2019 with the former footballer, 53, supporting him ‘100 per cent’.

Paul, often nicknamed Gazza, is currently appearing on the Italian take on I’m A Celebrity called L’Isola dei Famosi, Island of the Famous. 

Appearing via video link on Italian chat show, Live – Non è la d’Urso, Regan spoke about his ‘good relationship’ with his father after years of ‘ups and downs’.

Paul previously walked out on his son when he was a baby, after a string of rows with his ex-wife Sheryl, 55. Regan has previously shared his regrets after saying in a 2013 documentary that he wanted his father out of his life. 

According to The Sun, the dancer said: ‘We have such a good relationship. There have been ups and downs, but that is all water under the bridge. It’s love, love, love now.’

Regan added that he enjoys spending time with his ‘funny’ father, he continued: ‘By accepting my bisexuality, my dad put me at ease.’   

In August, Paul publicly spoke out in support of his son Regan, months after he revealed during a television interview that he is bisexual.

In November, dancer Regan spoke openly about his sexuality in a newspaper interview, followed by an appearance on Lorraine Kelly’s eponymous ITV show.

Football legend Gazza told The Mirror of his son: ‘He texted me the night before and I saw him on the TV talking about it.

‘I told him, “It doesn’t matter what you do son, I will support you 100 percent, you have to do what makes you happy”.

‘I thought “bless him”. To go on TV and do that is hard. He is a professional dancer, he is a fit guy, and I am very proud of him.’

The sportsman went on to reveal that Regan stayed with him for several weeks during the early stages of his career in Newcastle, and he and his son now regularly keep in touch via phone calls and text message.

Regan publicly announced that he was bisexual in a candid interview with The Sunday Mirror, but said at the time that his father had no idea he had dated men.

He told Lorraine that after publicly coming out as bisexual and admitting his father didn’t know he decided to get in touch with him.

The performer previously admitted they are still in touch but do no see each other frequently.

He said: ‘I’ve never actually come out. I’ve never made a point of coming out. I’ve just let it happen organically… when they asked me if I told dad I said: “No.” 

‘But then I saw the article and headline and thought, “oh I’ve got to text him now”. I just text him and said, ”I’m so sorry I’ve never had this chat I just feel like I’ve never had this chat with you.”

‘His response was exactly what I thought, he said ”I still love you no matter what”.’

Days before the interview, Regan publicly revealed that he was bisexual, and he had dated men in the past without his father’s knowledge.

He said at the time: ‘I’m bisexual, I date men and women. I’m really open about that. I haven’t had a lot of relationships though. I’ve only dated three people. I haven’t told my dad but I don’t think he will mind.’

In the Lorraine interview, Regan said that he’s no interest in following in his father’s footsteps and has pursued a career in music theatre and dance.

He added that any friction between him and Paul is well in the past, particularly in reference to a 2013 documentary when he said he wanted his dad out of his life.

‘It was hard growing up, but like I said that was 11 years ago now,’ he told Lorraine.

‘I said things back then that still to this day I hate myself for saying it, but when the cameras was in your face and your emotions are heightened I was only 12. I didn’t know how to express my emotions and feelings properly.’

Regan went on to tell Lorraine that that he had no interest in staying in the spotlight, and has instead been quietly auditioning in pursuit of a dancing career.

He explained: ‘I just wanted to make a career from my own success and passion and drive, I wanted to keep it separate and that’s what I do.’

The dancer went on to say that Paul was ‘totally supportive’ when he decided against following in his dad’s footsteps to pursue a career in football.

During the interview, Regan expressed his regrets over claims he made at the age of 12 in a documentary that he wanted his dad out of his life.

Paul previously walked out on his son when he was a baby, after a string of rows with his ex-wife Sheryl, 54.

Despite the fact they see little of one another, Regan insisted he is still proud of his father, and had plenty of fond memories to recall with the former England star.

The budding performer said he got through the tougher times in Paul’s battle with the booze by focusing on his performing, but went on to say he prefers to stay out of the limelight.

When asked about his father’s current welfare, Regan said he still wishes for his dad to stay healthy, and that he ‘loves him dearly’.

Paul shares Regan with ex-wife Sheryl, he also adopted her two children Mason, 31, and Bianca, 34. 

Elsewhere, earlier this week it was claimed that Gazza’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 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.

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.’

MailOnline contacted a representative for Paul Gascoigne for comment at the time.