It takes something to knock the Columbia dervish into second place, but in Paul Gascoigne, Newcastle United, and Newcastle as a city, have one of the legitimate characters in sporting and entertainment history. And that's "character" in the pencils up nostrils, underpants on head manner made famous by Black Adder Goes Forth. The man who Sir Bobby Robson christened "Daft As A Brush" lived up to his label a lot more after leaving Newcastle, but such is his association with the club and the area that the top spot here couldn't possibly have gone anywhere else. Gazza has never done understated, taking flack for political gestures on the pitch in Scotland, controversial celebrations at Euro '96, and for his social life, before offering a pathos-laden look behind his eyes during the Raoul Moat incident in Newcastle, which has now become an opportunity to poke fun at Gazza's decision to turn up with a fishing rod, some beer and a dressing gown for the gunman. He was supremely talented, but sadly for Gazza, he's now gone beyond the affectionate "Daft As A Brush" status, and we can only hope he can deal with his demons. Or at least keep them away from the public eye.
