Paul Gascoigne wants Danny Dyer to play him in movie about his life

Paul Gascoigne has only one man in mind to play him in a possible movie biopic about his life — renowned telly and film hardman Danny Dyer.

The 53-year-old former footballer told The Sun a biopic is in the pipeline, covering his glittering sporting career as well as his well-documented struggles with addiction.

Read more: Gazza says he can now control his drinking

Gascoigne said: "There are plans for a big movie about my life.

“I would like Danny Dyer to play me. The bloke out of EastEnders would be a great Gazza.”

An upcoming biopic would be another feather in the cap of Gazza, who has already been the subject of a 2015 documentary, with another non-fiction movie about his life currently in post-production.

Gascoigne first confirmed in August last year that a search is underway to find the right actor to embody him in a dramatic portrayal.

Read more: Danny Dyer reveals he once built a wardrobe around himself

For Dyer, it would mark a return to the world of football movies after starring in the likes of Mean Machine and The Football Factory during the noughties.

He went on to front hooliganism documentary The Real Football Factories and was briefly the chairman of non-league club Greenwich Borough FC.

Gascoigne recently impressed viewers of Italian reality TV show L’Isola Dei Famosi — which translates as The Island of the Famous — with his stint, before a shoulder injury forced him to exit the competition.

He has remained famous in Italy, having spent three years playing for Rome-based club Lazio during the 1990s.

Read more: Gazza blames Piers Morgan for house burglary

The star has now suggested he could take part in the British equivalent of the series — I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here — noting the success of football manager Harry Redknapp, who won the 2018 series.

Gazza told GMB: "I know Harry did fantastic on there.

"Something like that is okay. I suffer a bit from claustrophobia and snakes, I’m not too scared of flying after the helicopter flying [on the Italian show]."

Watch: Gazza hints at I'm a Celebrity stint after Italian reality show appearance