London, UK – The relationship between famous siblings can be as complex as any other, and the Lineker brothers, Gary and Wayne, are no exception. Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker and his younger brother, Wayne Lineker, have been in the public eye for their on-and-off relationship over the years, raising the question of whether they actually like each other.
Who Is Wayne Lineker?
Wayne Lineker, at 60 years old, is the younger brother of renowned football icon Gary Lineker. While Gary’s fame is tied to his football achievements and sports punditry, Wayne is a notable figure as the owner of Ibiza’s celebrated club, O Beach Ibiza. His journey into the nightlife industry began in 1988 when he established his brand of sports bars, known as Lineker’s Bar.
The brothers, Gary and Wayne Lineker, are only two years apart in age, with Gary being born on November 30, 1960, and Wayne on April 25, 1962.
The Lineker Brothers’ Strained Relationship History
The origins of the strained relationship between the Lineker brothers can be traced back as far as 2008, as recounted by Wayne. The club owner claimed that the strain on their relationship began when Gary started dating his now ex-wife, Danielle Bux.
Wayne revealed to The Sun in April 2015 that, in his opinion, Danielle’s presence played a significant role in distancing him from his brother. He stated, “In my opinion, Danielle cost me my relationship with my brother. Sadly, Gary is no longer a part of my life.” He further explained that the two reduced communication, which eventually fizzled out entirely after an awkward meeting between Wayne and Danielle when they visited Ibiza in August 2008.
This change was particularly significant, given that Wayne had been Gary’s best man at his first wedding to Michelle Cockayne in 1986. However, Wayne did not attend Gary’s second wedding to Danielle in 2009. He declined the invitation because his then-girlfriend, model Ana Tanaka, was not included.
Have the Brothers Spoken Since 2008?
In 2017, Gary and Wayne reportedly started speaking to each other again. Wayne even posted a tribute to Gary on his 60th birthday in November 2021. He told The Sunday Mirror, “We talk now. We are not how we were years and years ago, but we speak more now.” He emphasized the importance of their renewed communication, acknowledging that they used to be very close and shared many activities.
However, the post inviting Gary to celebrate Wayne’s birthday wasn’t accepted, hinting that their relationship remains strained. Wayne later posted on his Instagram stories, stating, “For all those asking, not even a text message,” accompanied by a distressed emoji and the hashtag ‘#iamdone.’ This implies that the two’s relationship remains a work in progress.
As of now, Gary Lineker has not publicly commented on his relationship with his brother Wayne. The story of the Lineker brothers serves as a reminder that even in the world of the rich and famous, family dynamics can be intricate and challenging.