Paul Gascoigne turns 50 on Saturday - and to celebrate the legendary England star's milestone birthday, we are paying tribute by looking back at the photos that made the nation fall in love with the enigmatic Geordie. Gazza's life after football has parallels with that of another great, George Best. Hailed as a genius during his career, he has fought a life long battle with the twin addictions of booze and drugs ever since he retired. But it was on the field where Gascoigne's unique talent set him apart from the crowd and earned him a place in the pantheon of special footballers bred in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. From THAT grapple with Vinnie Jones to those tears in Turin, we have lined-up a series of stunning images of the iconic star. As he celebrates his 50th birthday - a milestone many feared he may never reach as his demons repeatedly took control - football can reflect upon a man who more than most embodied the glorious freedom of expression it allows its greatest exponents to demonstrate. Here, we look back at Gazza's illustrious career as we wish him many happy returns...