Match of the Day star, Gary Lineker, has been married twice and is still chummy with his ex-wife Dannielle Bux, who shared a snap of the England star with her new family at Christmas
Gary Lineker recently insisted he's 'likes being alone' after two failed marriages.
The Match of the Day star, 63, who is presenting the Beeb's coverage of Euro 2024, shares four children with his first wife, Michelle co*ckayne, and is still chummy with his ex, Dannielle Bux, who he spent time with at Christmas last year.
As one of the country's most popular presenters, revered by many for his contribution English football, Gary has earned himself eligible bachelor status. However, after revealing he's enjoyed nothing more than the "odd date" over the last few years, it seems the Spurs star is still very much single...
First wife Michelle co*ckayne
Gary married Michelle in 1986 with the couple going on to have four sons together – George, Harry, Tobias and Angus. The footballer met his wife-to-be when she was 14 and he was an 18-year- old reserve for his home town club Leicester City.
"There wasn't one particular moment when we suddenly became a couple but I do remember asking her out for our first proper date to a restaurant when she was 17 and it just went on from there," he once recalled. Gary added: "I was probably keener on her then than she was on me and I'm probably keener now."
However, 20 years after they tied the knot, Michelle filed for divorce on the grounds of her husband’s ‘unreasonable behaviour’, with documents submitted to the court claiming that Gary's actions in their marriage had caused her ‘stress and anxiety’. They later stated their marriage breakdown was amicable with Gary recently telling The Times he'd had "two really good marriages..."
Still chummy with second wife Danielle Bux
Gary started dating model Danielle Bux, who was 20 years younger than him, a year after he split up with Michelle. Two years after being set up on a blind date, the couple married in Italy.
However, in 2016 they announced they had split following reports they had different wishes on whether to start a family together. Speaking to The Times, Gary suggested that Danielle's desire for children caused their split. The former England star recalled: "Obviously I would have done, but she said, 'It's not fair on you.' Then I said, 'Well, I'd feel terrible if I stop you doing it."
But, despite their divorce, the couple remain on great terms. Speaking to the Mirror in September 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."
After their split, Cardiff-born Danielle went on to marry Nate Greenwald, an American entertainment lawyer in 2019 and the couple welcomed their now-four-year-old daughter, Romy.
Last Christmas, 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" to which Gary replied: "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?"
'Happy being alone'
In the summer of 2019, it was reported that Gary was in a relationship with celebrity chef, Gizzi Erskine, after the two were pictured partying together backstage at All Points East festival. However, both of their representatives denied any claims, stating: "There is no relationship."
In a recent interview with The Times, Gary dismissed the idea of being in another long-term relationship, saying: "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."
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