A meet-and-greet event starring Paul Gascoigne planned in Scotland was cancelled after the venue said it had "serious concerns" about the behaviour of the former Rangers star.
The footballer was supposed to appear at the Clickimin Leisure Centre, in Lerwick, Shetland on August 2, with tickets only going on sale on Friday.
The cancellation came after a video was shared online which appeared to show him under the influence and asking for drugs.
The manager of the Clickimin Leisure Complex, Robert Geddes said the event was cancelled because the venue did not receive the deposit payment required from the promoter.
But promoters Events 105, which announced the cancellation on its Facebook page, said the deposit was not the key issue and revealed that they had been contacted by the venue raising concerns about the video, and Mr Gascoigne's past history.
In an email seen by the Herald, Robbie Leask, assistant manager of the complex said that they had seen the footage doing the media rounds of Paul 'the worse for wear' and that there was also footage of another incident.
"This is causing our senior management serious concern in terms of the negative publicity and associated reputational damage this may cause," he said.
"There is also the risk that Paul will not be in any fit condition to do the event."
The email said they had been contacted by members of the public concerned that they were hosting the event involving Mr Gascoigne due to past misdemeanours.
"From the attached conditions of hire... you will see that a booking is not confirmed until payment of the deposit has been received. In view of this we have decided that we no longer wish to be the venue for this event.
"I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Mr Geddes had said: “A deposit payment due as per our event terms and conditions had not been received from Paul Gascoigne’s promoter, therefore we were left with no choice but to cancel the event.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience, and I can assure all those who have paid for tickets will be refunded in full via Shetland Box Office.”
But a spokesman for Events 105 said that the deposit, while not paid, was not the real reason for the cancellation, and that any outstanding money could easily have been sorted.
"If this deposit was ever an issue, it would have been paid there and then, it was not an issue," said the spokesman.
"At any time they could have picked up the phone and said have you forgotten about the deposit, and to be honest, I did.
Morning xxxxxxx pic.twitter.com/yOov3bW2Ox
— Paul Gascoigne (@Paul_Gascoigne8) June 3, 2019
"The email states in no uncertain terms that they have had complaints from the public regarding Paul using their venue, and refers to his past history and off-field problems he has had.
"We are more disappointed than anything else to be honest , not just for ourselves but for Paul who was looking forward to going up there and meeting everyone and mostly for all the people up there who were looking forward to the show."
The announcement of the cancellation came on Events 105's Facebook page.
It said: “We have been informed today by the Clickimin Leisure Centre that they no longer wish to host the Paul Gascoigne event in Lerwick.
“Following a conversation with the venue’s management we have been told in no uncertain terms that the venue wish not to be associated with Paul Gascoigne and as such they have decided to cancel the event at their venue.
“Events 105 have done everything we can to turn this decision around but to no avail. It is particularly bad timing as we realise that tickets have already gone on sale and numerous people have managed to buy them.
Guys thanks4all your support&messages 💕💕I love you all from the bottom of my heart 💕💕im well&safe thanks2 SHANE @Shanewh1tfield see u all soon LOVE GAZZA XXXXXXXX❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/ENbeFvi7wx
— Paul Gascoigne (@Paul_Gascoigne8) June 1, 2019
“We apologise wholeheartedly for this but once the venue decided to pull out of the event we have been left with no other options."
He said they will ensure that every single ticket holder receives a full refund for their ticket purchase. The tickets were available at £35, or £73 for VIP briefs that would give fans the opportunity to meet the footballer before the show.
“Your understanding is greatly appreciated and we are left feeling very sad that we have been stopped from providing fans of Paul Gascoigne in Shetland the opportunity to meet one of their idols," he added.
Afterwards Mr Gascoigne tweeted: “Thanks for the support @ClickiminLC “Cancelling my upcoming show in the Shetlands.”
It followed with three clapping hands emojis and “No SURRENDER!!!!”
The 52-year-old former England international reassured fans on Twitter on Saturday he was “safe and well” the day after the video appeared.
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