Gary Lineker's 'weird' set-up with ex wife and bold romance claim that shocked mates
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Match of the Day stalwart Gary Lineker has tearfully hung up his microphone after a distinguished 26-year run as a presenter, leaving behind an iconic legacy as one of the most recognised faces in football punditry.
Despite always being at the forefront of the BBC's Match of the Day, Lineker never hesitated to share snippets from his personal life. The warm-hearted broadcaster, who raked in a nifty £1.35 million annually, is accustomed to unwinding in the company of his four lads at his London residence.
The former Three Lions star has experienced matrimony twice, first with Michelle Cockayne, mother to his four children, tying the knot in 1986 and parting ways two decades on. His subsequent marriage to Danielle Bux also concluded following a six-year spell.
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Currently embracing the single life, Lineker hasn't held back when reflecting on his past unions and maintaining cordial relations with his former spouses.
In 2007, he entered into a relationship with Danielle Bux, notably younger by 20 years; their Italian wedding bells rang shortly thereafter. Despite their affectionate bond, their union came to a halt in early 2016, largely attributed to differing family planning views, reports the Mirror.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
(Image: Getty)
(Image: Getty Images)
By 2019, Lineker divulged: "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."
After being a bachelor for some time now, broadcaster Gary Lineker has been quite candid about his personal life and the current state of his interest in intimacy. In a strikingly open conversation back in 2021, he admitted that he's less concerned about that side of things nowadays, attributing it to natural changes as he gets older.
Lineker continued to share details about his romantic endeavours during a recent chat with The Times, stating: "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."
He fondly referred to his second wife Danielle as his 'best mate' while firmly drawing a line when it came to his private life, making it clear: "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."
Moreover, he shunned any thought of using dating apps or letting his lads create an online profile for him, standing firm against modern matchmaking methods.
Despite their separation, Gary and Danielle maintain a harmonious relationship. Following her marriage to Nate Greenwald in 2019, they even share festive celebrations as one big extended family.
Danielle displayed this blended family spirit in a 2023 Christmas photo featuring Gary, her eldest daughter Ella from a previous relationship with Adam Willis, and herself all together.
She captioned the shot "Our annual Christmas dinner" while Gary added, "Always a delight", reflecting on the pleasure of their tradition. The famous footballer opened up about his relationship with his ex, telling Radio Times, "He's not got a jealous bone in his body," and "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?".
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