Gary Lineker’s brother Wayne has opened up on his differences with the BBC star in a candid GB News discussion.
Born just two years apart, Wayne and Gary have gone their separate ways after enjoying a close relationship for years.
Speaking to The Sun in 2015, Wayne admitted Gary is “no longer a part of my life” as the pair pursued separate endeavours.
He claims they drifted apart when Gary started seeing Danielle Bux in 2008, who he would go on to marry the following year before divorcing in 2016.
Wayne has spoken out on his relationship with brother Gary Lineker
GB NEWS / GETTY
Wayne had been the best man at Gary’s first wedding to ex-wife Michelle Cockayne in 1986, but did not even attend his second big day.
The 61-year-old, who owns one of the most popular beach clubs in Ibiza, opened up to Eamonn Holmes about the seemingly defunct relationship.
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Eamonn opened the discussion by saying: “We have to say that with your very distinctive surname, you are the brother of Gary.”
Wayne jokingly responded with a display of sarcasm suggesting he is unaware of his brother’s existence.
“I’m the wild brother”, he went on to add.
“We’re chalk and cheese. Me and Gary, we’re two different people.
Gary Lineker is the BBC's highest-paid presenter PA “I guess we’ve both been successful in different areas.”
Eamonn went on to quiz the business mogul about his popularity in holiday resorts like Ibiza.
“You’re very well known yourself”, the presenter probed.
“I seem to be at the moment”, Wayne said.
Wayne Lineker joined Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster on GB News
GB NEWS
“My face gets around quite a bit. It’s a thing in Ibiza to take a photo with me.
“You’ve not been to Ibiza if you haven’t had a picture taken with Wayne Lineker.”
Gary has garnered a controversial reputation with his repeated wading into political affairs which has thrown his BBC employment into question.
The corporation’s commitment to avoiding bias has raised questions over Lineker’s social media activity, with suggestions he should not be allowed to criticise political figures and ideas as much as he does.
The issue came to a head in March 2023 when he likened language used by the British Government in relation to immigration to that of Nazi Germany.
Gary was subsequently suspended by the BBC, forcing him off Match of the Day, a show he has hosted for almost a quarter of a century.
The BBC was thrown into turmoil by a mass walkout of staff who showed solidarity with the 63-year-old who returned to Match of the Day just a week after his suspension