Gary Lineker beams as he celebrates son's wedding after BBC exit
Gary Lineker, 64, looked dapper as he attended his son George's wedding over the weekend alongside estranged brother Wayne Lineker, just days after his BBC exit.
Gary Lineker was spotted looking dapper and upbeat at his son's nuptials last weekend. The 64-year-old broadcaster enjoyed the sweet family event, which comes following his recent BBC exit.
His son George, 33, took to Instagram to share heartwarming moments from the wedding on Monday, June 2, with those in attendance also including Gary 's estranged brother Wayne. A touching photo was posted by George showing him and his dad smiling together as they celebrated the big day.
The joyous family gathering follows a rough few weeks for Gary, since being relieved of his BBC duties following his views on Israel's presence in Gaza.
The former England footballer and commentator's departure came prematurely after he shared a pro-Palestine video concerning the Gaza conflict on social media. The video contained a controversial cartoon rat emoji linked to antisemitic symbols, as reported by the Mirror.
Amid backlash, Gary issued an apology on Monday, May 19, for any distress caused, clarifying that he would "never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic".
The football icon announced his decision to scale back from his prominent presenting role after 20 years. Despite recent tough times in his career, there's a potential silver lining with his brother Wayne following their attendance at the family wedding.
Gary and Wayne were reportedly embroiled in a bitter feud that caused tension within the family. Wayne alleged their relationship turned sour after Gary began dating Danielle Bux in 2008, whom he wed the next year but divorced in 2016.
"In my opinion, Danielle cost me my relationship with my brother. Sadly Gary is no longer a part of my life," Wayne disclosed to The Sun in April 2015.
Wayne was left baffled when their regular phone chats and visits suddenly stopped, according to reports. The Ibiza beach club owner was at a loss as to why they lost touch within a year, attributing it to an uncomfortable initial encounter with Danielle.
"They came to Ibiza in August 2008 and it was really awkward. I didn't spark with Danielle and our relationship was cold," Wayne recounted. He claimed that Danielle secluded herself in her room on the first day and then there was no communication between them during a night out the following evening.
Keen not to cause a stir with his brother, Wayne refrained from confronting Gary about the chilliness, yet that holiday marked the last interaction he had with Danielle. Although Wayne had been the best man at Gary's first marriage to Michelle Cockayne in 1986, he was conspicuously absent from Gary's second wedding.
Wayne reportedly declined to attend his brother's wedding after being informed that his then-girlfriend, model Ana Tanaka, wasn't on the guest list just months before the big day. "He was my brother and he was telling me that I couldn't bring my girlfriend of a year and a half to his wedding. She was a lovely, polite girl, and not a five-minute girlfriend," Wayne said.
Wayne recounted how his efforts to mend their relationship were unsuccessful, with an uncomfortable phone call on Gary's 50th birthday ending in under a minute. Wayne stated: "I would love nothing more than him to call me up tomorrow and ask to go to lunch to speak about it, but I don't think it's going to happen."
Despite the estrangement, Wayne has maintained a strong connection with Gary's sons, George, Harry, Angus, and Tobias, who often visit him in Ibiza. "All four come here. They always say 'If Carlsberg made uncles, then I'm the man'. They get treated amazingly. George comes three times a year," Wayne disclosed.
Even with their disagreements, Wayne has never stopped being "immensely proud" of Gary. Upon learning that Gary was the BBC's second-highest earner in August 2017, with an annual salary between £1,750,000-£1,799,999, Wayne felt his brother was worth every penny.
Acknowledging himself as Gary's "biggest fan", Wayne commented: "He is very good at presenting now. I remember watching him when he first started, he was absolutely rubbish.
"He was so nervous doing Match of the Day, but within six months he got his confidence sorted. When he started he had to replace Des Lynam, Des was fantastic in his day, he was the man. Trying to follow that is really difficult, but Gary pulled it off. Within two years he was established and now he is the main man.
"There is probably no one better. He works hard and is a very intelligent man. He has always been protective of his image, which has paid off in the years. He is a very respected man and has done well."
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