Gary Lineker Girlfriend Update Why He Says He’s Happiest Single With His Ex Still Sleeping Over

Gary Lineker, who has dominated Saturday nights on British television since 1999, has evolved into more than just a sportscaster; he is now a mainstay of society. However, as his broadcast legacy gets ready for its last act after the 2026 World Cup, focus will unavoidably turn to the more subdued and frequently unexpected facets of his personal life. A man who defies conventional relationship narratives is revealed by Lineker’s life off-camera, from his amicable post-divorce bond with Danielle Bux to his surprising comfort with solitude.

Gary’s timeline starts off in a conventional manner. When his football career was at its peak, in 1986, he wed Michelle Cockayne. George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus were the four sons of their two-decade marriage, which ended in 2006. Michelle later claimed that the marriage caused her “stress and anxiety” and cited “unreasonable behavior.” Public personalities whose careers put extraordinary strain on their personal lives frequently experience this kind of high-profile strain. This pattern is remarkably similar to what we’ve observed in athletes like Thierry Henry and entertainers like Robin Thicke, where demanding work commitments subtly undermine domestic stability.

After that split, Lineker and model Danielle Bux embarked on what many believed would be a more harmonious chapter. The pair, who were first introduced on a blind date in 2007, immediately clicked. They were married in Italy by 2009 and were frequently spotted supporting one another in their careers and making easygoing public appearances. But by 2016, their marriage had ended remarkably amicably, reportedly due to disagreements about having children. Gary believed his role as a father had already reached its natural arc, while Danielle wanted to expand her family.

What came out of their split was something noticeably better: a friendship so solid and loving that people took notice. Lineker called their relationship “best mates” in an interview with The Mirror, adding that they talk multiple times a day, text frequently, and even visit each other’s homes. This kind of post-divorce care is incredibly uncommon and stands in stark contrast to the usual animosity we witness in celebrity splits. Their intimacy is similar to the long-lasting friendship between Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, or Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell—an emotional development that many couples find difficult to duplicate.

In 2019, Danielle married American lawyer Nate Greenwald, with whom she had a daughter named Romy. Her relationship with Lineker, however, was still remarkably strong. She frequently stays at Gary’s house when in London, and he pays her a visit when in Los Angeles. Although this arrangement may appear unusual to some, it represents a particularly creative kind of friendship—based on shared respect, history, and emotional openness.

Gary hasn’t jumped back into a committed relationship since. In 2019, there was a brief association with chef and television personality Gizzi Erskine, but the rumors were soon discarded. Both of them made it very evident that they were just friends when they were spotted together at the All Points East music festival, which caused social media to go crazy. Gary chose a more subdued domestic rhythm over a new public relationship. He acknowledged enjoying his own company in a candid 2021 interview with The Times. “I have a large social circle. My boys visit frequently. I prepare meals for them. With a refreshing and surprisingly relatable ease, he said, “I don’t feel lonely.”

Lineker has created a space where solitude does not equate to silence in his opulent yet modest London home. Family meals, frequent visits with his kids, and his unwavering relationship with Danielle give him a sense of belonging. Public personalities like Oprah Winfrey and Diane Keaton, who have both written candidly about the delights of independence, are increasingly adopting this attitude toward aging—embracing independence rather than clinging to companionship.

It’s interesting to note how Gary’s romantic journey mirrors a larger cultural change. More people are moving away from traditional relationship models in recent years, particularly those who are getting into their 50s and 60s. Instead, like Lineker and Bux, they are putting emotional compatibility ahead of social labels. They have redefined success after marriage by purposefully uncoupling while maintaining a meaningful connection. In a culture that is frequently fixated on binary outcomes—either together or totally apart—this change feels especially advantageous.

This perspective also enables him to avoid the usual scrutiny that aging male celebrities receive about their romantic relationships. Lineker’s decision to stay single is remarkably quiet—and remarkably self-assured—in contrast to peers like Simon Cowell or Rod Stewart, who are constantly in the news for their younger partners or new engagements. Opting out of the cycle of high-profile romances, especially when done voluntarily rather than out of necessity, has a subtle dignity.

Lineker is still in high demand for speaking engagements and commentary even as he gets ready to leave his renowned television position. However, he has made hints that retirement may provide time for a completely different endeavor. “I may take a break from television,” he recently said to reporters. His calm demeanor implies that he has earned the right to take it slow and re-establish a connection with the world outside of matchday scripts and bright lights, even though this is still open-ended.

What about romance? The door is still open. “I’m not claiming that nothing will change. It might work,” he said, allowing for the possibility without embracing it. His emotionally intelligent, well-balanced approach to relationships and love offers something incredibly powerful: a model of how to thrive without depending on another person to finish the picture.