Wednesday, August 12, 1998 Published at 05:15 GMT 06:15 UK
Sheryl tipped for 'quickie' divorce from Gazza
How the Sun newspaper reports Sheryl's imminent divorce from Gazza
The estranged wife of football star Paul Gascoigne is to divorce him within days, it has been reported.
Sheryl Kyle, 33, is expected to be granted a decree nisi on grounds of unreasonable behaviour.
Her lawyers are negotiating a financial settlement with the 31-year-old Middlesbrough and England player, according to the Sun newspaper.
The two went on holiday to Florida together in June, leading to speculation that a reconciliation was in the offing. But the Sun reports that Ms Kyle is unable to tolerate any longer Gazza's drinking and violent outbursts, and has concluded he will not change.
Ms Kyle, who has two other children from a previous marriage, is expected to be granted custody of the couple's two-year-old son.
Latest in a string of blows
The news is the latest blow in a string of knocks for Paul Gascoigne.
Not long after he first became a national hero to football fans and non-fans alike after bursting into tears at being given a yellow card during the 1990 World Cup quarter finals, he ruptured ligaments in his right knee after a reckless tackle during the 1991 FA cup final.
Violence on and off the pitch
As well as injury problems his own behaviour got him into trouble. The Scottish FA censured after he mimed playing a flute during a game between Rangers - who he signed to in June 1995 - and Celtic. The flute-playing, a protestant symbol, was taken as offensive by Celtic's mainly Catholic supporters.
Last year he received a five-match ban for violent conduct.
His relationship with his wife, who he married in July 1997, was no less troubled than his football career. Just a few months after their honeymoon Ms Kyle was photographed with a black eye, bruised face, one arm in a sling and dislocated fingers.
Mr Gascoigne admitted that he repeatedly beat her, and has called himself "a disgrace" for it. Ms Kyle filed for divorced exactly one year after their wedding.
Not long before Glenn Hoddle made the decision to leave him out of the England World Cup squad, Mr Gascoigne was seen out on a lengthy pub crawl with the radio presenter Chris Evans and sports writer Danny Baker.
A drinking session with Mr Evans and the rock star Rod Stewart followed soon after.
Mr Hoddle's decision to do just that signalled the end of the footballer's World Cup career.
The latest newspaper reports to feature him indicate his marriage has gone the same way.