SPORTS and showbiz agent Terry Baker has spoken of his fears for his old friend George Best after it was revealed that the alcoholic soccer idol had gone on a bender after being dumped by his wife.

After hearing that Best had fallen out of his marriage and straight into the nearest bar Terry, who is based near Christchurch, and has worked with the former Manchester United star for the past seven years said: "I'm afraid that booze is what George turns to. He knows it will kill him, but what can you do? It's all terribly worrying."

Best, who after years of relentless drinking underwent a life-saving liver transplant last year, was given the elbow by long-suffering wife Alex at the weekend after she learned he had cheated on her with another woman.

She walked out on a holiday in Malta after discovering that, despite nursing him back to health and offering ceaseless support, the 57-year-old had been having a fling with 25-year-old jobless blonde Paula Shapland behind her back.

Terry, who regularly comperes Best's An Evening With..... theatre appearances, said: "I can't believe how silly he's been. Alex has stood by him through thick and thin and now this happens.

"Mind you they've had their ups and downs before and to be honest it wouldn't surprise me if they eventually got back together again."

But Terry is certainly not banking on a happy ending and says that he is already considering possible replacements for Best in a series of 22 An Audience With shows lined up with fellow recovering alcoholic Jimmy Greaves.

"I have tried to contact George without success. I just don't know what's going to happen. Now I am wondering about using Brian Clough or maybe Gazza alongside Jimmy instead."

Apart from the possibility that Best simply won't be fit to appear, Terry is also acutely aware that the sports star who was once a hero to millions, is now widely seen as a shambling, sick and stupid man. "I have to ask myself will people actually want to see him after he's behaved like this," he said.

"He was given a huge chance with his liver transplant and we all thought he was really trying so hard. But you know the really tragic thing is that I actually think he can't help himself. It's very sad."