Gary Lineker Reunites with Ex-Wife Danielle in Surprise Pre-Christmas Meet-Up After Split
Gary Lineker and his ex-wife Danielle Bux have shared a heartwarming festive reunion, enjoying a “Christmas tipple” together in London, eight years after their amicable separation, reported by the Mirror. Despite their split in 2016, the 64-year-old football legend and the 45-year-old Welsh model and actress have remained close friends.
The pair, who were married for seven years after being introduced on a blind date in 2007, spent Tuesday night dining at the upscale Notting Hill restaurant Dorian. Danielle took to Instagram to share glimpses of their outing, including a photo of a bottle of red wine and a tomato salad from their candlelit table. Later, she posted a cozy selfie of the two waiting on a chilly Tube platform, captioning it “night tube” as they bundled up against the cold.
Danielle now resides in Los Angeles with her husband Nate Greenwald and their seven-year-old daughter, Romy. Her festive reunion with Gary comes as the BBC star announced he would step down as co-presenter of Sports Personality of the Year and leave Match of the Day after 25 years. Opting to skip this year’s SPOTY awards, Gary instead prioritized his annual holiday catch-up with Danielle.
Their split was reported to have stemmed from differing desires about expanding their family. Danielle, already a mother to 23-year-old Ella from a previous relationship, wanted more children, while Gary, a father of four sons – George, 32, Harry, 30, Tobias, 28, and Angus, 26 – felt his family was complete.
Reflecting on the decision, Gary explained on The Mid-Point podcast with Gaby Logan, “It was purely down to children. She already had a daughter, I had four boys, then her body clock started ticking and she had the urge. In the end, we decided, ‘Well, why don’t we just stay mates?’”
Danielle went on to marry entertainment lawyer Nate in 2019 and welcomed Romy in 2017. Meanwhile, Gary remains single and content. Speaking to The Times, he shared, “I like being on my own… I don’t feel lonely. I have the odd date here and there, but nothing in terms of a long relationship. I’ve been married most of my adult life. Two really good marriages, I’m friends with both.”
Gary brushed off any questions about his love life, adding, “I am still single. I am not going down that route! I have been there before and tried to explain myself and I got slaughtered by my friends.”
Their enduring friendship, filled with mutual respect and affection, continues to be an inspiring example of how relationships can evolve beyond divorce.