
Gwynedd pool players make history in national team debut
Gary, Osian and Troy came out top of the 14 players from all parts of the region in pool round competitions in Bangor over the last few months, gaining their place on the national team. They went on to the Nations' Cup tournament along with six teams from Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.
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Metro
5 days ago
- Metro
Reason Gary Lineker's final interview with Mohamed Salah was 'scrapped' revealed
Gary Lineker's interview with Mohamed Salah was due to air after his BBC exit (Picture: PA) The alleged reason for Gary Lineker's final blow from the BBC ahead of his exit has been revealed. Lineker, 64, bowed out of presenting Match of the Day last month after 26 years at the helm. It was initially claimed that the sports pundit was due to interview Liverpool star Mohamed Salah before his exit, but the BBC has scotched reports that the reason they put a stop to the interview was because they feared discussions would turn political. The broadcaster has now made it clear that 'the only reason' the interview was cancelled was because of when it was due to air. A source allegedly told The Sun: 'The plan was for the interview to be shown across the BBC the weekend of Gary's final Match of the Day. 'That would include on Football Focus the day before, as well as online and on social media.' Last month, Lineker signed off from hosting Match of the Day after 26 years (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire) But 'out of nowhere, it got cancelled' by Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who took over the role from Barbara Slater last April. 'Some people think they didn't want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza,' said the source. 'Salah has spoken out in his support for Palestinians living in Gaza, and Gary has made his feelings clear too.' Bosses reportedly feared the ongoing war would 'come up naturally in conversation'. Consequently, the BBC preferred to 'axe' the interview rather than 'risk possible editorial issues'. 'They'd only just overcome one storm, so to face another would have been a nightmare.' It's reported there is 'no love lost' between the pundit and the BBC's Director of Sport (Picture: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for AWEu) To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page But when contacted for comment, a BBC spokesperson told Metro that the interview was actually scrapped for a different reason. 'The only reason the interview was cancelled was because it was planned to air after Gary's last match of the day, and it would be wrong to suggest anything else,' they said. It comes after a source also previously told The Sun that Lineker was 'well-liked' among his co-stars ahead of his departure. Lineker's final MOTD aired last Sunday, which he fronted alongside pundits Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, with whom he also presents the Rest Is Football podcast. He announced his departure from the BBC following a row after he shared a post about Zionism, which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. Lineker, the BBC's highest-paid presenter on a £1.4million salary, issued an unreserved apology over the Instagram Story, as it was confirmed he would leave his presenting role at the Beeb early and would no longer front coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season's FA Cup. Lineker fought back tears in his final MOTD sign-off (Picture: PA/BBC) 'On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references,' he said in a statement at the time. 'I very much regret these references. 'I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.' Lineker deleted the post 'as soon as [he] became aware of the issue.' In his final sign-off from the highlights show, he struggled to speak through tears. Lineker described his time on the programme as 'utterly joyous' as he thanked his co-stars and those working behind the scenes. 'Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You've made my job so much easier,' he began. The footie icon said it was a 'privilege' to front the highlights show for so long (Picture: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images) Lineker continued: 'Also, a huge thank you to those you don't see at home. The work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort, from the editors to the analysis team to the commentators to the producers to the floor managers to the camera operators to the PAs to the subs. Thank you, all. You're the very best. 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work, and I got applauded. 'It's been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century; it's been utterly joyous.' Reflecting on his final show afterwards on his podcast, Lineker admitted he 'struggled' to 'keep it together' when a montage of his career highlights was shown. Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman will replace the Leicester-born star and share the presenting role from the next Premier League season, with Lineker wishing them 'all the very best when they sit in this chair'. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: Race Across the World star dies in car crash aged 24 Arrow MORE: When is the Ballon d'Or 2025 and what are the odds on the winner? Arrow MORE: Doctor Who fans notice glaring issue with Billie Piper's shock return


Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Gary Lineker's net worth, love life and unusual set-up with model ex-wife
Gary Lineker has enjoyed a successful career as a footballer and broadcaster, but has now stepped away from BBC's Match of the Day - and his personal life has been just as eventful Gary Lineker, who bid a tearful goodbye to his time on Match of the Day on Sunday, hasn't shied away from opening up about his love life. The sports TV presenter, 64, confirmed his last appearance on BBC's Match of the Day after 26 years in the hot seat was coming earlier than expected despite schedules to cover the FA Cup and next summer's World Cup. The sudden exit came after Gary was hit with backlash for sharing and then deleting a pro-Palestine video featuring an 'antisemitic' rat emoji. Despite this, Gary has been one of the most recognisable faces on television thanks to his hugely successful football career and role as a pundit. But it's not just his career that has made headlines, as he's notably gone through two public divorces, has spoken about one unusual set-up and has earned a whopping amount from his time with the BBC. Impressive net worth Gary is one of the most iconic footballers of his era, turning out for Leicester, Everton, Spurs and Barcelona, and earning 80 caps for England. Despite his illustrious football career, the majority of his fortune hails from his television work, given he hung up his boots before the Premier League's financial explosion. He first joined the BBC 's Premier League highlights programme in 1999 when he took over from Des Lynam and has been part of some of the show's most unforgettable moments. In addition to his longstanding role with the BBC, the 63 year old has also been associated with TNT Sports and is well-known for leading promotional campaigns for brands such as Walkers crisps. Gary's net worth is thought to be around a whopping £30 million. His eye-watering wealth is significantly bolstered by his hefty BBC earnings - the broadcaster divulged in its annual salary report that Gary pocketed between £1,300,000 and £1,354,999 in 2023/2024. Despite already being the BBC's top earner for the previous seven years, Gary had offered to take a substantial pay cut of about £350,000 to stay on MOTD but is now set to depart from the show. Love life The ex-England goalscorer has been married twice and shares his four children with his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, whom he married in 1986 and divorced 20 years later. In 2007, the star began dating Danielle Bux, who was 20 years his junior, and they later married in Italy. But their marriage only lasted six years before the pair announced they were splitting in early 2016, reportedly due to their differing opinions on starting a family. In 2019, Gary explained: "Danielle and I are best mates, we still speak three times a day, we text all the time. When she comes to London, she stays with me, and when I go to LA, I see her." Gary is thought to still be single and has candidly opened up about his dating life. Back in 2021, he claimed to be unbothered about intimacy anymore, conceding he was at an age where his testosterone levels had dropped. More recently, he has insisted he doesn't miss being married and is content that his working life and sons occupy the bulk of his time. In an interview with The Times, Gary said: "I like being on my own... I don't feel lonely. I have the odd date here and there, but nothing, not in terms of a long relationship. I've been married most of my adult life. Two really good marriages, I'm friends with both." Unusual set-up The pundit described his second wife Danielle as his 'best mate' and refused to comment on his sex life. He insisted: "I am still single. I am not going down that route! I have been there before and tried to explain myself and I got slaughtered by my friends." Gary also denied ever using dating apps and refused to let his sons set up an online profile for him. After Gary and Danielle split, she went on to marry Nate Greenwald, an American entertainment lawyer, in 2019 and the couple welcomed their now-four-year-old daughter, Romy. Although, the exes still come together with their families. Back in Christmas 2023, Danielle posted a photo with Gary alongside her eldest daughter Ella, whom she shares with a former partner Adam Willis. She captioned the photo "Our annual Christmas dinner", and Gary shared the picture with the comment, "Always a delight". The sports presenter previously explained how he continues to keep in touch with his ex, and Danielle's current husband never gets 'jealous' of their relationship. "He's not got a jealous bone in his body," Gary said to the Radio Times. "We get on really well. We go out for dinner when I'm in LA. It might be unusual and people might go, 'That's weird ' but, frankly, I don't care. What is normal? Is it better to get divorced and end up fighting, screaming and shouting? Or is it better to get on if you can?"


Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Gary Lineker's 'weird' set-up with ex wife and bold sex claim that startled pals
Gary Lineker became one of the most famous football pundits thanks to his longstanding BBC career - and has never been one to hide away from speaking about his personal life Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has bid a teary farewell to his role at the BBC. Having spent 26 years on the show, he has become one of the most recognisable pundits on telly, but his long stint has now come to an end. While he regularly fronted BBC's football coverage, Gary never shied away from being open about his personal life. Away from work, the presenter, who earned a cool £1.35million per year, often spends his free time with his four sons back home in London. The ex-England player has been married twice, and shares his four sons with first wife Michelle Cockayne, whom he married in 1986 and divorced 20 years later. He then married Danielle Bux, but that marriage ended after six years. Since then, the Leicester legend has been happily single - but he has shared some insight into his previous marriages and where he stands with his two ex wives. In 2007, the star began dating Danielle Bux, who was 20 years his junior, and they later married in Italy. But their marriage only lasted six years before the pair announced they were splitting in early 2016, reportedly due to their differing opinions on starting a family. In 2019, Gary explained: "Danielle and I are best mates, we still speak three times a day, we text all the time. When she comes to London, she stays with me, and when I go to LA, I see her." The presenter has been single ever since and has candidly opened up about his dating life. Back in 2021, he claimed to be unbothered about intimacy anymore, conceding he was at an age where his testosterone levels had dropped. More recently, he has insisted he doesn't miss being married and is content that his working life and sons occupy the bulk of his time. In an interview with The Times, Gary said: "I like being on my own... I don't feel lonely. I have the odd date here and there, but nothing, not in terms of a long relationship. I've been married most of my adult life. Two really good marriages, I'm friends with both." The pundit described his second wife Danielle as his 'best mate' and refused to comment on his sex life. He insisted: "I am still single. I am not going down that route! I have been there before and tried to explain myself and I got slaughtered by my friends." Gary also denied ever using dating apps and refused to let his sons set up an online profile for him. After Gary and Danielle split, she went on to marry Nate Greenwald, an American entertainment lawyer, in 2019 and the couple welcomed their now-four-year-old daughter, Romy. Although, the exes still come together with their families. At Christmas in 2023, Danielle posted a photo with Gary alongside her eldest daughter Ella, who she shares with a former partner Adam Willis. She captioned the photo "Our annual Christmas dinner", and Gary shared the picture with the comment, "Always a delight". The sports star previously explained how he continues to keep in touch with his ex and Danielle's current husband never gets 'jealous' of their relationship. "He's not got a jealous bone in his body," Gary said to the Radio Times. "We get on really well. We go out for dinner when I'm in LA. It might be unusual and people might go, 'That's weird ' but, frankly, I don't care. What is normal? Is it better to get divorced and end up fighting, screaming and shouting? Or is it better to get on if you can?"