GARY Lineker – the beloved presenter of Match Of The Day – has been married and divorced twice, first to Michelle Cockayne and, later, to Danielle Bux.
On November 11, 2024, it was revealed that he would be stepping down from his role on Match Of The Day at the end of this season.
Gary married Michelle Cockayne in 1986PA: Press Association
Gary and Michelle were married for twenty yearsNews Group Newspapers Ltd
Gary and Michelle’s romance
Gary and Michelle tied the knot in 1986 and went on to have four children together.
Their four sons are named George, Harry, Tobias and Angus.
After twenty years of marriage, though, they eventually decided to part ways.
Michelle divorced Gary on the grounds of “unreasonable behaviour” and claimed that his actions had led to her experiencing “stress and anxiety”.
Despite the split, Gary has remained very close with his sons.
A second chance at love
Gary started dating Danielle in 2007, after being set up with the model on a blind date.
They hit it off instantly and Gary began a relationship with Danielle, who was twenty years younger than him.
They tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Italy, in 2009, but disagreements over starting a family led to them splitting up.
Reportedly, Danielle wanted to start a family but Gary felt that his four sons were enough for him.
After splitting in 2016, Gary confirmed that he and Danielle still stay in touch.
In 2019, he told The Mirror that Danielle was his “best friend”.
Danielle later married Nate Greenwald and had a daughter named Romy with him in 2017.
Gary and Danielle met on a blind datePA: Press Association
Gary’s incredible career
Gary shot to fame as a professional footballer, where he played for his home team of Leicester City.
He also played for Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, and was the top goal scorer for all three clubs.
As a professional, Gary scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for England between 1984 and 1992 and was also top scorer at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
However, most fans today will recognise him as the face of Match Of The Day which he started presenting in 1999.
After a 30-year-stint at the BBC, he announced on November 11, 2024, that he would be parting ways with the broadcaster.
He confirmed that he would be leaving Match Of The Day at the end of the current season and the BBC, in general, at the end of 2026.
Before leaving the broadcaster, he was the BBC’s highest paid sports presenter thanks to his immense popularity.