Paul Gascoigne appeared in court today on a charge of racially abusing a security guard.
It is alleged he made a racist joke during his 'An Evening with Gazza' show in Wolverhampton last year.
Gascoigne pleaded not guilty to the offence this morning. The trial will commence on 19 September.
He allegedly made a joke about a black security guard who was standing in a darkened corner of the stage, saying 'if you weren't smiling, I wouldn't be able to see you'.
There was an audible gasp among the audience according to witnesses.
A member of the audience told the Birmingham Mail.
Gazza knew what he’d done straight away. There were gasps. It’s such a shame because he was really on form, the best I’ve seen him for a long time.
The shows were £385 a pop and consisted of Gazza telling lively anecdotes about his career.
