Paul Gascoigne reveals what he told son Regan when he came out as bisexual
The football legend's response was one many parents could still do with emulating.
By Will Stroude
Paul Gascoigne has spoken publicly for the first time about his son Regan coming out as bisexual.
Dancer Regan, 24, came out publicly last November – something he said had compelled him to discuss his sexuality with his famous footballer father for the first time.
Now, former England midfielder Paul, 53, has revealed what he said to his son when he first told him about his sexuality.
“He texted me the night before and I saw him on the TV talking about it”, Paul told The Mirror.
“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’.”
Gascoigne, who has publicly battled mental health and addiction issues since retiring from football in the early noughties, continued: “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.”
Regan first opened up about his bisexuality in an interview with The Sunday Mirror last November, admitting he hadn’t yet told his father about having relationships with both men and women.
“I’m bisexual, I date men and women. I’m really open about that”, he said.
“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.”
Regan, who has previously spoken about how his father’s alcohol abuse has strained their relationship over the years, added that the pair’s relatonship would endure despite the setbacks.
“The past is the past”, Regan said. “He’s my dad, I’ll always love him, and he’ll always love me no matter what.”