Football legend Gary Lineker, 65, has declared he is content with his bachelor status, stating he is “done” with romance following two divorces. The former England striker has embraced a life of independence, describing himself as “slightly selfish, but unanswerable to anyone.”
Lineker, who has been single for a decade, expressed his satisfaction with his current lifestyle during a recent conversation on Louis Theroux’s podcast. “I like being on my own. I’ve got so accustomed to it now,” he admitted. He elaborated on his solitary existence, stating, “it’s me and a dog. But my boys are always around… I’m absolutely happy on my own.”
When questioned about the possibility of future romantic relationships, Lineker was definitive. “No, I think I’m done. I don’t know, you never know, but I just can’t imagine actually living with someone again,” he stated. He also humorously dismissed the idea of physical intimacy at his age, joking about the perceived “effort” involved.
A Look Back at Past Marriages
Lineker’s first marriage was to Michelle Cockayne in 1986. The couple shared four sons: George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus. Their union, which began when Lineker was a rising star at Leicester City, saw him achieve global football success. However, it was also marked by profound personal challenges, including their eldest son George’s battle with leukemia at just eight weeks old. George faced a grim prognosis of only a ’10 to 20 per cent’ survival rate.
Recounting the difficult period, Lineker described it as “really, really brutal.” He recalled Michelle spending seven months in the hospital with their son, while he was present during the day. Football, he noted, provided a crucial distraction during this time. “Actually, do you know what, football at that point was the only time that I didn’t think about it,” he shared. “It was in the middle of the season. They gave a leave of absence… I didn’t play for a few weeks and then I went back to training. And actually, do you know what, football at that point was the only time that I didn’t think about it.” He added, “I could switch off a little bit and I got back playing again a few weeks later. But, you know, back to the hospital all day and it was incredibly tough.” He expressed immense relief and pride that George, now 34, is “incredibly healthy and well, amazing… He’s a fitness machine. Works out every day. He’s doing really well. And he’s got a lovely sense of humour about the whole thing.” The couple divorced in 2006.
Lineker’s second marriage was to Welsh actress and model Danielle Bux. They wed in Italy in 2009. After seven years together, the couple announced their separation in 2016, reportedly due to Lineker’s desire not to have more children. Despite the divorce, they have maintained a friendly relationship, with reports of them still enjoying dinner dates and holidays together.
Following their divorce, Danielle Bux relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. She later found a new partner, Nate Greenwald, an Ivy League educated lawyer. Bux, who already had a teenage daughter Ella from a previous relationship, welcomed a second daughter, Romy Wren, in August 2017.
Lineker continues to value female companionship, stating, “It might change, but you know, I love women’s company. I’ve got a lot of friends that I go out to dinner with.”
The Louis Theroux Podcast is accessible on Spotify and other major podcast platforms.
