Gary Lineker, 60, wishes ex-wife Danielle Bux a happy 42nd birthday with heartfelt message

Gary Lineker, 60, wishes ex-wife Danielle Bux a happy 42nd birthday with heartfelt message calling her ‘a special lady’


Gary Lineker proved his ex-wife Danielle Bux still has an important place in his heart as he wished her a happy 42nd birthday.

The 60-year-old footballer-turned-presenter posted the message – which Danielle then re-shared – which read: ‘Happy birthday to this very special lady. Have a great one @daniellebux. Cheers!’

He shared the snap of him with Danielle when they were a couple.

Still pals: Gary Lineker proved his ex-wife Danielle Bux still has an important place in his heart as he wished her a happy 42nd birthday. The 60-year-old footballer-turned-presenter posted the message – which Danielle then re-shared

The pair were married from 2009 to 2016. She had wanted to start a family with him but he already had four sons from his previous marriage.

He shares sons George, 29, Harry, 27, Tobias, 25, and Angus, 23, with his first wife Michelle Cockayne.

Danielle has since remarried lawyer Nate Greenwald, with whom they share daughter, Romy. Danielle is also mother to another daughter, Ella, from a previous relationship.

Gary told the Mirror in 2019: ‘We still speak three times a day, we text all the time. When she comes to London she stays with me, and when I go to LA I see her.’

Friendly exes: The pair were married from 2009 to 2016. She had wanted to start a family with him but he already had four sons from his previous marriage

Friendly exes: The pair were married from 2009 to 2016. She had wanted to start a family with him but he already had four sons from his previous marriage

This follows Gary’s announcement that he is stepping down as a presenter of BT Sport’s Champions League coverage.

Gary, who also presents BBC’s Match of the Day programme, has been the lead host of the channel’s Champions League matches since 2015 but has now quit the role, claiming he wants to spend more time with his family.

He also plans to follow boyhood club Leicester City around Europe after they qualified for the Europa League once again.

Quit: Gary has stepped down as BT Sport's Champions League anchor after six years in the role

Quit: Gary has stepped down as BT Sport’s Champions League anchor after six years in the role

Stepped down: Lineker has fronted BT's coverage of the European tournament for the past six years

Stepped down: Lineker has fronted BT’s coverage of the European tournament for the past six years

A statement from Lineker read: ‘Porto’s mouth-watering all-English final this weekend will be my final Champions League show for BT Sport.

‘I’ve loved hosting the best club tournament in world football and I’m genuinely proud of being part of their truly ground breaking coverage over the past six years.

‘I would like to thank BT Sport for their generous renewal offer, but after much thought, I have decided to call it a day. I feel it’s time to do things that I’ve always promised myself I’d do: such as follow Leicester across Europe with my sons (how many opportunities will we have?)

Statement: Lineker's social media statement claimed he rejected a renewal offer from BT

Statement: Lineker’s social media statement claimed he rejected a renewal offer from BT

Plans: The 60-year-old wants to spend weekday nights watching boyhood club Leicester in Europe

Plans: The 60-year-old wants to spend weekday nights watching boyhood club Leicester in Europe

‘A big thank you to everyone at BT Sport, both in front of the camera and behind. You’re one hell of a team. It’s been a joy working with you. Well played.’ 

Lineker has been a Leicester fan since he was a child and came through the club’s academy in 1976 before making his debut on New Year’s Day 1979. He went on to score 95 goals in 194 games for the Foxes before moving to Everton in 1985.

The striker also played for Barcelona, Tottenham and Japanese side Nagoya Grampus while he also netted 48 goals in 80 games for England before retiring. 

Lineker celebrated Leicester’s shock 2016 Premier League victory by presenting the first Match of the Day show of the following season in his underwear. He first presented BBC’s iconic show and their live football coverage following Des Lynam’s retirement in 1999. 

Ex-footballer: Lineker has four sons from his first marriage: George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus

Ex-footballer: Lineker has four sons from his first marriage: George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus