Does Gary Lineker married? How much does BBC pay Gary Lineker?
by Kowsalya
Updated Mar 14, 2023
Does Gary Lineker married?
Gary Lineker has been married twice before, but he is currently not in a marital relationship. His first wife was Michelle Cockayne, and they were married for 20 years before separating in 2006. Lineker and Cockayne have four sons together. In 2007, Lineker began dating model and actress Danielle Bux, who is 20 years his junior. They tied the knot in a grand wedding ceremony in Italy in 2009. The couple famously won £30,000 for charity on an episode of ITV's Mr. and Mrs. in 2009, demonstrating their deep understanding of each other. However, they separated in 2016, with reports suggesting that Lineker's reluctance to have more children was a factor in their breakup. Despite this, Lineker and Bux remained on amicable terms, with Lineker describing her as his 'best mate.' They still regularly communicate and maintain close friendships. Bux is now married to Nate Greenwald, and they have a daughter together.
Where does Gary Lineker live in London?
Despite being a familiar face on British television for decades, Gary Lineker prefers to keep his personal life out of the spotlight. The former Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, and Barcelona football star has retired from playing but has continued to contribute to the football world as a pundit on Match of the Day. Lineker, who represented England 80 times and scored 48 goals between 1984 and 1992, is said to reside in a £4 million mansion in Barnes, a serene neighborhood in Richmond upon Thames. Although he is known to live alone, he has also opened his doors to refugees, offering them a temporary stay in his home to help them settle into their new lives in the UK. However, in recent times, Lineker's residence has been far from quiet, with journalists gathering outside his home in the hopes of getting his thoughts on his recent controversy with his employer. The BBC freelancer made headlines after expressing his views on the UK government's policy on refugees and migrants, which led to his being asked to step back from his punditry work temporarily. Despite this, Lineker remains an influential figure in the football world and a respected voice on social and political issues.
What did Gary Lineker say about immigration?
Gary Lineker has sparked controversy with his recent comments about the new immigration laws, which drew comparisons to Nazi Germany. As a result, the former footballer was temporarily removed from his presenting role on Match of the Day by the BBC, but Lineker's fellow presenters showed solidarity by refusing to take over. In response to a Twitter video posted by Home Secretary Suella Braverman about government plans to stop small boats from crossing the Channel, Lineker wrote, "Good heavens, this is beyond awful." When challenged by another Twitter user, he defended his opinion by stating that the policy was "immeasurably cruel" and using language similar to that used by Germany in the 1930s. Despite calls for action from Tory MPs, Lineker has been reinstated, and the BBC has apologized for the incident, announcing a review of its social media policy. Lineker expressed gratitude for the support he received from his colleagues at BBC Sport and affirmed his pride in working with the "best and fairest broadcaster in the world."
How much does BBC pay Gary Lineker?
Gary Lineker has been a prominent figure in the world of sports broadcasting for over two decades, having become one of the longest-serving presenters of Match of the Day since he took on the role in 1999. With such a successful career, it is no surprise that he commands a high salary from the BBC. In fact, he was named the corporation's highest earner for five consecutive years, including in 2022, when he reportedly earned £1.35 million.
Despite his high earnings, Lineker has been willing to take voluntary pay cuts in the past. In 2021, he agreed to a reduced salary of £1.36 million, down from his previous rate of £1.75 million, stating that it was the "right thing to do." In addition to his work on Match of the Day, Lineker also hosts coverage of the FA Cup, major football tournaments, and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, demonstrating his versatility as a sports presenter. While Lineker's earnings are significant, he is not alone among the BBC's high earners. Zoe Ball is currently the second-highest earner, reportedly receiving an annual salary of £980,000 for her work on BBC Radio 2 and hosting Strictly Come Dancing's spin-off show, It Takes Two. Despite criticism from some quarters about the salaries paid to the BBC's top presenters, the corporation has defended its pay policies, citing the need to attract and retain top talent in a highly competitive media market.
Who is Gary Lineker?
Gary Lineker is a retired English footballer and well-known sports broadcaster. He began his career as a professional footballer in 1978 with Leicester City and went on to become the joint top scorer in the First Division in the 1984-85 season. He later joined Everton, where he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards in his debut season. Lineker then moved to Barcelona, where he helped the team win the 1987-88 Copa del Rey and the 1989 European Cup Winners' Cup. In 1989, Lineker transferred to Tottenham Hotspur, where he won his second FWA Footballer of the Year award and helped the team win the FA Cup, which was his only major trophy in English football. His final club was Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan, where he retired in 1994 after playing for two seasons. After his retirement, Lineker embarked on a successful media career with the BBC, where he has presented Match of the Day since the late 1990s, making him the longest-serving MOTD presenter in history. He is also the BBC's lead presenter for live football matches and has covered international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup. In addition to his work with the BBC, Lineker has also worked for other broadcasters including Al Jazeera Sports, Eredivisie Live, NBC Sports Network, and BT Sport's coverage of the UEFA Champions League.
Does Gary Lineker married - FAQs
Gary Lineker is best known as a former professional footballer and current sports broadcaster.
Gary Lineker had a successful football career, playing for teams such as Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national team. He is one of England's all-time top scorers and won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Gary Lineker has been married twice before, but he is currently not in a marital relationship.
Yes, Gary Lineker has been honored with various awards throughout his career, including an OBE for his services to sport in 1992, and a knighthood in 2020 for his charity work and services to broadcasting.