Gary Lineker, known for his sharp football insights on Match of the Day and his podcast The Rest Is Football, doesn’t shy away from sharing bits of his personal life now and then—even the more intimate aspects!
Though he’s usually chatting about football with pals like Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker has sometimes opened up about his private life, from his thoughts on dating to his close relationships with family and friends.
The former Tottenham and Barcelona striker has had a few memorable personal moments in the public eye, including famously appearing on Match of the Day in his boxers after Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League win in 2016. With that kind of ease in front of the camera, talking about romance and dating isn’t as intimidating for him as it might be for others.
In 2008, a year after splitting from his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, Lineker began dating actress and model Danielle Bux, who is 18 years his junior. The two hit it off on a blind date, got married in 2009, but divorced in 2016. Despite going their separate ways, they remain close friends, with Lineker still enjoying a warm relationship with both Danielle and her daughter Ella.
Lineker even shared with the Mirror in 2019, “Danielle and I are best mates. We still speak three times a day, text all the time. When she comes to London, she stays with me, and when I’m in LA, I see her.” Their friendship has remained solid, showing that even after marriage, relationships can evolve in unexpected ways.
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When it comes to his romantic life today, Lineker keeps things private but did open up about how he feels less focused on intimacy now than in his younger years. In a 2021 interview, he told the Times, “I am still single… I’ve been there before and tried to explain myself, and I got slaughtered by my friends!” His view on dating apps? Not his thing, but he’s open to love if it comes his way.
Having been married for much of his adult life, Lineker says he’s quite comfortable being single at the moment. “I’ve had two really good marriages and am friends with both. Danielle’s kind of my best mate, so I have that female connection,” he shared. Though he’s not actively looking, he’s happy where he is and doesn’t rule out the possibility of change in the future.
Alongside his 16-year professional football career, Lineker has built a solid career in broadcasting, and it’s been lucrative. As the BBC’s highest-paid employee, he reportedly earns £1.35 million annually. Originally from Leicester, Lineker now resides in the stylish west London neighborhood of Barnes, in a home by the River Thames valued at around £4 million.
His house reflects his vibrant lifestyle, featuring a home gym he frequents (according to his Instagram), a cinema room, modern living spaces, and a scenic garden. Lineker enjoys a comfortable life and isn’t shy about showing snippets of his home on social media.
Family remains close to his heart. Lineker shares four sons with his first wife, Michelle: George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus. None followed his path in football, but they’ve each carved their own successful careers. George co-founded Your Business Number, a company that provides dedicated business numbers to entrepreneurs.
Harry works with Lineker’s production company, Goalhanger Films, where they focus on sports documentaries. Meanwhile, Tobias has made a name for himself as a DJ, and Angus has found success as a development manager in the business world. For Lineker, it seems, family life and career are equally rewarding pursuits.
