Wayne Lineker has disclosed that his 17-year estrangement from older brother Gary concluded shortly before he gave up alcohol, returned to the United Kingdom, and entered a rehabilitation programme. The club owner, now seven months sober, revealed that the reconciliation occurred during a period when his drinking was at its most severe.
A Wedding in Ibiza Heals Old Wounds
Ironically, a family wedding served as the catalyst to end a rift that began nearly two decades earlier. The initial dispute led to Wayne's absence when Gary exchanged vows with his second wife, Danielle Bux, in Italy back in 2009. This time, the location was Ibiza, a familiar stomping ground for Wayne, whose popular O Beach day club has been a permanent fixture on the island's west coast since 2013.
Recalling the reunion with the former England striker and one-time Match Of The Day host, Wayne, 63, stated: 'Gary’s son Harry got married in Ibiza when I was in the middle of my 60-day binge and it was the first time I’d spoken to Gary properly for 15 years.' He added to The Sunday Times: 'I wasn’t too drunk because it was daytime and it was a beautiful occasion. Gary’s table was next to mine and it was like we never fell out.'
The Root of the Feud
Wayne hinted that the estrangement may have stemmed from Gary's marriage to Welsh model Danielle Bux. The couple married in Ravello on Italy's stunning Amalfi Coast, but Wayne was notably absent after refusing to attend because his brother told him he could not bring his then-girlfriend, Ana Tanaka, whom he had been dating for 18 months.
In April 2015, Wayne told The Sun: 'In my opinion, Danielle cost me my relationship with my brother. Sadly Gary is no longer a part of my life.' He described their 2008 holiday in Ibiza as 'really awkward' and said his relationship with Danielle was 'cold.'
Brothers Reunite at Key Family Events
The brothers appeared to roll back the years at Harry's wedding last June, with social media footage capturing them downing drinks and letting their hair down at the outdoor reception. Gary was also present several months later when Wayne, just four weeks into a six-month treatment programme after giving up drinking, walked his daughter Tia down the aisle in Mallorca.
Despite their different paths—Gary as a professional footballer with 80 England caps and Wayne as an entrepreneur trading off his famous surname with Lineker's sports bar in Magaluf—Wayne insists there was never any jealousy. 'There was never one millimetre of jealousy,' he said. 'I grew up with him getting better and better… I was so honoured to be his brother. It was a massive part of my life.'
Health Struggles and Sobriety Journey
Wayne is now seven months sober after seeking help at Surrey rehab Priory Life Works House. His abstinence coincided with a seven-week hospital stay after contracting two severe attacks of pneumonia. He revealed he began to feel unwell on a flight to the UK from Dubai after visiting his daughter, Tia.
He told The Mirror: 'After three days at home, I had another really big attack - I was in a severe state. The doctor told my son I was in big danger and my blood pressure was ridiculously low.' Wayne added: 'There were two times I nearly passed away - it was a real eye opener for me. I became worried about my life. Am I going to make it? I lost so much weight, I lost 11 kilograms because I was lying in bed for seven weeks.'
Looking to the Future
Now out of hospital, Wayne is taking things slowly and trying to improve his health by going to the gym and taking supplements. He has vowed to 'carry on being sober, because I'm enjoying it,' with no plans to return to O Beach. This new chapter marks a significant turnaround from the strained relations he described before his nephew's wedding, when he told The Mail's Straight to the Comments! podcast: 'It's not so good to be honest, we don't really speak very often. I'll always be his number one fan.'
