Gary Lineker’s mega net worth and ‘weird’ relationship with model | Football | Sport

Gary Lineker has opened up about experiencing a “strange few days” amid rumours swirling about his tenure on BBC‘s Match of the Day.

The veteran presenter, aged 63, has become synonymous with the show, steering it through its golden era as the premier football highlights programme for British viewers.

With Lineker’s contract drawing to a close at the end of this season, MailOnline stirred the pot last week with claims of having spotted an internal BBC email hinting at Lineker’s impending exit.

However, the BBC has refuted such suggestions, and Lineker himself has now confirmed that discussions regarding his contract renewal have “just started”.

During Saturday’s Match of the Day, Lineker quipped that it was his final appearance – swiftly clarifying he meant “before the international break”. On his The Rest is Football podcast, alongside co-hosts Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, he reflected on the recent buzz, remarking “there are bigger problems in the world, that’s for sure.”

“It’s been a strange few days – as you know, like (Liverpool stars) Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Virgil (van Dijk) and Mo (Salah), I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer so it’s natural at some point you have to have conversations and they have just started,” Lineker shared.

He expressed bewilderment over the media frenzy, reassuring fans, “I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control. All is OK.”

Lineker retains his title as the BBC‘s top earner with a staggering £1.35 million bagged in the financial year 2023-24, the corporation reveals in its summer annual report. He’s outstripping his colleague Zoe Ball by a cool £500,000.

The Match of the Day maestro’s income plays a significant role in amassing a reported £30 million fortune, easily eclipsing what he pocketed during his illustrious football days where he donned jerseys for titans like Barcelona.

Away from the glare of match analysis, Lineker has flexed his presenting chops across BT Sport, NBC, and Al Jazeera, not to mention his iconic tenure with Walkers crisps.

Family life paints a picture of joy and complexity for Lineker, who is a dad to four lads George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus from his first marriage to Michelle Cockayne. The romance ended after two decades, citing “unreasonable behaviour”.

Lineker found love again with Danielle Bux, a model from Cardiff, following a fateful blind date; alas, they parted ways, driven apart over differing stances on having children. Despite the split, they remain amicable friends.

In a heartfelt chat with the Mirror in September 2019, Lineker opened up about his bond with ex-wife Danielle, revealing: “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.”

Reflecting on their past discussions about expanding their family, he shared with the Times in that same year: “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.'”.

Since then, Danielle has tied the knot with Nate Greenwald, and they have been blessed with a daughter named Ella. Lineker, speaking of Nate to the Radio Times, expressed nothing but goodwill: “He’s not got a jealous bone in his body,” adding, “We get on really well. We go out for dinner when I’m in LA.”

Lineker also addressed the public’s perception of their unconventional post-divorce relationship, stating: “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?”

The former footballer’s love life has continued to make waves in the press; he was linked to celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine in 2019 after they were spotted enjoying themselves backstage at the All Points East festival, and more recently, there were whispers about a connection with Jemima Goldsmith, the former spouse of cricket legend and ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan. However, Lineker has dismissed both sets of rumours.

The Leicester-born celebrity candidly discussed his relationship status with The Times, admitting that at the time, he relished his independence. “I’m single. I am single,” he declared, also mentioning: “I like being on my own. I know it sounds a bit mad. I have lots of company. I’ve got lots of friends and I’ve also got my boys… I don’t feel lonely. I have the odd date here and there but nothing serious in terms of a long relationship.”

Reflecting on his past unions, he said: “I’ve been married most of my adult life. Two really good marriages, I’m friends with both,” He mused about the future of his love life, “I’m not saying whether it’ll change. It might do. I don’t know. But at the minute I’m very comfortable.”