Paul Gascoigne charged over racial 'joke' at Wolverhampton Civic Hall show

The troubled star has been summoned to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on June 17 when he will be formally charged with the alleged offence.

The shock news comes after a last minute U-turn by the Crown Prosecution Service(CPS) who had initially decided that he should not be prosecuted over the incident. It was the second change of mind by lawyers involved with the case.

The CPS officially informed Gazza of the decision not to take him to court just over a month ago but his manager has now been told of the change of mind in a phone call.

It came after a third CPS lawyer was asked to consider the case under rules which allow a victim or complainant to seek a review of a decision not to charge. As a result it was ruled that the previous decision was incorrect and there should be a prosecution. The internal review considered exactly the same evidence.

It is understood that a West Midlands CPS lawyer had originally recommended prosecution but this was reversed after the finding went for a second opinion by another CPS lawyer in London because a public figure was involved.

Lawyers have spent months considering information collected during a West Midlands Police investigation into a complaint about the star's conduct during the 'Evening With Gazza' show at the Civic Hall on November 30 last year.

It is believed to have concentrated on a 'joke' the former England football star made during the show about a black security guard whom he spotted in a darkened corner of the stage and said he could not tell 'if he is smiling or not.'

Witnesses reported that the comment was met with an audible gasp by the audience, although it was not clear whether the security guard heard the remark at the time.

Neither the victim nor the complainant has been identified, although the security guard targeted in the joke is understood to have been at the show as protection for Gazza.

The CPS confirmed the change of mind and Gascoigne's agent, Terry Baker - who had initially spoken of their relief at the decision to drop the case - said today he had no comment to make on the latest development.

In April Gazza insisted during a TV interview that he was 'back to his best after two-day blip' in his struggle with alcoholism. In March he had been photographed clutching a bottle of gin and being escorted by a police officer in his home town of Poole, Dorset.

Later, more photographs emerged of the ex-Wolves trialist, showing cuts and bruising to his nose, lip and forehead. Gazza, who has had a drink problem for more than 20 years, later said that the relapse was a 'blip'.