Paul Gascoigne has taken intensive Italian lessons before starring in the country's version of 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'.
Paul Gascoigne
The 53-year-old retired footballer is set to take part in Italy's 'L'Isola dei Famosi' ('Island of the Famous') after quarantining in Milan before travelling to an island off the coast of Honduras this weekend.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Paul has a basic grasp of Italian and he can make himself understood.
"But what we really want to avoid is having subtitles too often as that would ruin it.
“The idea is to get him up to a good conversational level so he can talk with the other competitors. We are expecting some exciting TV from Paul.”
It's said Gazza has passed a range of physical and mental tests to be confirmed for the show.
The programme will be hosted from a studio by model Ilary Blasi, whose husband is retired Italian footballer Francesco Totti.
Gascoigne - who played for Rome side Lazio from 1992 to 1995 - will be joined on the island by 2019 Miss Italy Carolina Stramare, 22, and 53-year-old actress Angela Melillo.
Fashion heiress Drusilla Gucci is also part of the cast, as well as outspoken vegan Daniela Martani, who recently sparked controversy as a COVID-19 denier.
The source added: "The women on the island are all very attractive and range in ages from 22 to 53 - the same age as Paul - and most of them are single.
"It should make a fascinating watch to see how Paul interacts with these women who are very opinionated and have strong views.”
Gazza previously admitted he would consider joining the Italian version of 'Strictly Come Dancing' after being approached by 'Ballando con le Stelle' several times over the years.
He said: "They still love me because of my time playing there so I may give it a go."
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