Paul Gascoigne agrees 'generous' divorce payment

Paul Gascoigne split up with his girlfriend at least six times before their wedding, subjected her to his endless drinking and beat her up.

But yesterday, football's notorious bad boy revealed a streak of sentimentality as it emerged he had agreed a ?1 million-plus divorce settlement with his former wife Sheryl.

The footballer, aged 31, will reportedly give his ex-wife a ?700,000 lump sum settlement with ?120,000 a year to support herself, their two-year-old son, Regan, and her two children from her previous marriage, Bianca, aged 12, and Mason, nine.

In addition, the 33-year-old former model will keep their ?300,000 home in Hertfordshire, a ?45,000 Jaguar car, a ?40,000 Range Rover and expensive jewellery.

Mrs Gascoigne was granted a 'quickie divorce' last August on the grounds of the Middlesbrough midfielder's unreasonable behaviour. The couple's lawyers are now close to reaching the final settlement - which could include a gagging clause preventing her discussing their marriage, according to the Sun.

Gascoigne's motivation appears to be his "deep feelings" for his former wife, whom he met in a wine bar in 1991 and married in 1996. "Sheryl is making sure she's getting the best possible deal for herself and her family, and Gazza is doing nothing to stop her," a source told the newspaper. "He still has very deep feelings for her and is letting his heart rule his head. Paul still clings to the hope that Sheryl might take him back."

Gascoigne - who played a starring role in England's Euro 96 campaign but was dropped from the squad for last year's World Cup due to his drinking - earns ?30,000 a week at Middlesbrough following last year's ?3.5 million transfer from Glasgow Rangers.

But despite his wealth, his lawyers are reportedly concerned he has been too generous in the settlement.

A leading divorce lawyer, Vanessa Lloyd Platt, of London-based Lloyd Platt and company, said the settlement appeared unusual because it offered a large lump sum and a high annual maintenance figure, with no cut-off period.