2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Amy Jones)
Despite enduring two high-profile divorces, Gary Lineker has managed to keep an amicable bond with one of his former spouses, and her new partner appears completely unfazed by their closeness. The Match of the Day host, who is 64 years old and well-known for his impressive football legacy and broadcasting work, has announced plans to conclude his run on the popular show after the current season. Nevertheless, he'll continue his relationship with the BBC up to the end of the 2026 World Cup.
During a candid chat before his forthcoming departure, Lineker hinted to some nudging from BBC executives regarding his decision after an impressive 25 years presenting the programme. In a chat with the network, he remarked, "It's time [to leave]. I've done it for a long time.
It's been brilliant. It's been great." He also confessed, "Well, perhaps they want me to leave.
There was the sense of that, yes. I've got another year and I'm going to do the FA Cup and World Cup and they're taking our podcast now, the Match of the Day Top Ten, as well as The Rest Is Football that I do with Alan [Shearer] and Micah [Richards].", reports the Mirror .
Away from the spotlight, Lineker, who commands an annual £1.35m BBC salary, spends time in his London residence with his four sons. The ex-England forward has had two marriages; all of his boys are from his first marriage to Michelle Cockayne, whom he married in 1986 and separated from twenty years later.
In 2007, the celebrity found love with Danielle Bux, who was 20 years his junior, leading to their picturesque Italian wedding. However, after six years of marriage, they parted ways in early 2016, reportedly over differences regarding family plans. Gary Lineker has since remained single and has been quite open about his personal life.
In 2021, he expressed a lack of interest in intimacy, attributing it to his age and declining testosterone levels. More recently, he's stated that he doesn't miss being married, finding fulfilment in his work and time with his sons. Speaking to The Times, Gary shared: "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 sports commentator holds his second wife, Danielle, in high regard, calling her his 'best mate', but remains tight-lipped about his private life. He declared: "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 dismissed the idea of using dating apps and rejected suggestions from his sons to create an online dating profile. Following the separation between Gary and Danielle, she tied the knot with Nate Greenwald, a US entertainment lawyer, in 2019, and they have since welcomed their daughter Romy, who is now four years old. Despite their past, the former couple still unite for family occasions.
Last Christmas , Danielle shared an image on social media featuring Gary and her eldest daughter Ella, from a previous relationship with Adam Willis. The post was captioned "Our annual Christmas dinner", and Gary reposted the image, commenting, "Always a delight". The sports broadcaster has openly discussed maintaining a friendly rapport with his ex, and he's mentioned that Danielle's current husband doesn't harbour any 'jealousy' over their continued connection.
"He's not got a jealous bone in his body," Gary remarked 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?"..
