GARY AND WAYNE LINEKER HAVE HAD A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP OVER THE YEARS, WITH THE BUSINESS MOGUL CLAIMING THE BBC PRESENTER'S EX-WIFE DROVE A WEDGE BETWEEN THEM 16:46, 26 May 2025 Gary

and Wayne Lineker have been at odds for nearly two decades now. Despite their familial ties, the brothers have led vastly different lives. Gary, for example, had a stellar football career

with clubs like Leicester City, Tottenham and Barcelona, before transitioning into television presenting. Most notably, he spent 26 years hosting Match of the Day with the BBC, wrapping up

his final episode on Sunday as the 2024/25 Premier League season came to an end. On the other hand, Wayne, who is two years Gary's junior, has carved out a successful career in the

WEDGE Gary and Wayne maintained a close bond growing up, which carried into their adult lives, with bi-weekly golf games and regular phone calls. However, things took a turn in 2008 when a

new woman in Gary's life stirred up tension between the brothers. Following the collapse of his first marriage to Michelle Cockayne in 2006, Gary found romance with Danielle Bux, a

Welsh actress and model. They tied the knot in 2009 but called it quits just seven years later, reportedly due to differing views on starting a family playing a major role in their

separation. However, Wayne contends that Danielle was causing rifts in the family well before their split. Speaking to The Sun in 2015, Wayne said: "They came to Ibiza in August 2008

and it was really awkward. I didn't spark with Danielle and our relationship was cold." That holiday turned out to be Wayne's final interaction with Danielle, as he

didn't make it to their nuptials the next year - even though he had previously been the best man at Gary's wedding to Michelle in 1986. Additionally, he sharted that his

then-girlfriend, Ana Tanaka, had been explicitly uninvited from the matrimonial celebrations involving Gary and Danielle. Wayne said of the instance: "He was my brother and he was

telling me that I couldn't bring my girlfriend of a year and a half to his wedding. She was a lovely, polite girl, and not a five-minute girlfriend." HOPES OF RECONCILIATION ON

GARY'S 50TH BIRTHDAY On Gary's 50th birthday, Wayne attempted to mend fences with a phone call, aiming to restore their fraternal connection. Despite his efforts, he acknowledged

that the awkward conversation was brief and ultimately fruitless. Disappointed about his failure to make amends, he said: "I would love nothing more than him to call me up tomorrow and

ask to go to lunch to speak about it, but I don't think it's going to happen." A 17-YEAR TIFF Speaking about his frosty ties with Gary during a natter on The Mail's

Straight to the Comments! podcast last year, Wayne shared that things between them were still pretty much on ice. He said: "It's not so good to be honest, we don't really

speak very often. I'll always be his number one fan." Opining how their differing lifestyles may have only added to tensions, he added: "I had all the skill in the world but I

had no dedication, no commitments, I just wanted to be out with the lads. Gary had every dedication there was, he was super dedicated, but we're completely different siblings.

"He's very straight and narrow, and I'm very naughty and high. So yeah, we've always been like that." A GUT-WRENCHING APPEAL Turning to Instagram in November, Wayne

reached out with a gut-wrenching call for amends with Gary, posting a touching throwback slideshow of the pair from their salad days and adulthood. In his emotional caption, he wrote:

"The universe works in mysterious ways. 55 years ago I used to go to Kenwood Road outdoor pool with my mum Dad and brother Gary every week during the summer holidays. "This was at

this time, I know this because it was only open a few years and sadly closed due to English weather – we didn't get enough sunny days like ibiza. It doesn't look too dissimilar to

how Ocean does now – stick a few orange cups in people's hands, some round beds in the pool, a few umbrellas and you got O beach Leicester. "Built on this land by developers were

houses – our parents purchased one and Gary and I grew up there until we were adults. The number of the house on Kenwood road was 10, the very same number my bro wore on his England shirt

throughout his 80 international games. "Gary and I share the most incredible memories in that house, 2 brothers rarely leaving each others side..one of my favourite memories of us is

both clearing the lounge every Saturday of furniture when mum and dad were out making a goal each end just to play one on one football for hours... ofc (of course) then carefully replacing

the furniture before coming home. "They never did find out... I know for a fact that they will be looking down on us with one wish. That would be to become proper brothers again.

#lifestooshort." Wayne also shared a snap of the Kenwood Road pool, as well as another of an England shirt with his brother's name and number on it. GARY THE GOAT Gary delivered

his last Match of the Day appearance on Sunday, bidding a fond adieu not just to the programme he's helmed since 1999, but also parting ways with the BBC. The broadcasting giant carved

out a moment at the end of the episode for Gary to deliver a touching farewell speech, in which he expressed gratitude towards the BBC, his workmates, the crew behind the scenes, and the

audience for their steadfast support over the years. Article continues below BBC Sport took to Instagram to share a clip of Gary's poignant sign-off shortly after, captioning it:

"Here's how Gary Lineker said goodbye to Match of the Day after 25 years." And Wayne was among the many users commenting on the post, dropping a goat emoji – the universal

symbol for 'greatest of all time' – clearly signalling his enduring respect for Gary despite nearly twenty years of familial tensions.