Former England international Paul Gascoigne has revealed that he paid his driving instructor to pass him without taking the test.

The 45-year-old, who has battled with depression and drug addiction, has claimed that he never actually took his driving test while at Newcastle United in 1985.

"I was 18, playing for Newcastle and sick of getting the bus to and from games," The Sun quotes Gascoigne as saying. "I got in the car to take my test and went to the examiner, 'How much do you get paid a week?'

"He said, 'I get £75. Why?' So I went, 'I'll pay you £25 to pass me'. He bit my hand off! We sat in the car for an hour, then he shook my hand and said, 'Congratulations, you've passed'."

Gascoigne played for Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers and Everton during his playing career.