Former football star and broadcaster Gary Lineker has shared some joyful personal news, revealing that he is preparing to welcome his first grandchild.
The 65-year-old made the announcement during the latest episode of The Rest Is Football, where he discovered he shares the same milestone with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who is also expecting his first grandchild.
Surprise Revelation During Podcast Conversation
The heartwarming moment unfolded during a discussion on the show when Lineker turned to Ramsay and highlighted their shared family milestone.
Expressing his excitement, Lineker remarked that they were both about to become grandparents for the first time, prompting Ramsay to admit he was both thrilled and slightly nervous about the experience.
The chef joked that caring for a newborn would be unfamiliar territory, saying there was little they could do until the baby was old enough to communicate.
A Growing Family for the Former England Star
Lineker is father to four sons from his marriage to his first wife, Michelle.
The couple welcomed George, Harry, Tobias and Angus before ending their marriage in 2006.
Although the former England striker did not reveal which of his sons is expecting a child, the announcement comes less than a year after the family celebrated Harry’s wedding to his wife, Annabelle, in Ibiza.
The wedding was also notable for bringing Gary together with his brother Wayne after years of estrangement.
Happy Living the Single Life
The announcement follows recent comments from Lineker about his personal life, in which he admitted he has become comfortable living alone after spending a decade single.
Speaking on Louis Theroux’s podcast earlier this month, the former Match of the Day presenter said he enjoys his independence and has no immediate plans to enter another serious relationship.
He explained that while he values spending time with female friends, he cannot imagine sharing his home with a partner again, describing himself as perfectly content living with his dog while regularly seeing his sons.
Looking Back on Family Challenges
While celebrating happier times, Lineker has also spoken openly about one of the most difficult periods in his family’s life.
His eldest son, George, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was just eight weeks old.
Doctors initially gave the infant only a small chance of survival, leading to months of intensive chemotherapy treatment.
During that period, Lineker balanced hospital visits with his football career, explaining that returning to training and playing matches provided a brief mental escape from the emotional strain facing his family.
George’s Remarkable Recovery
Thankfully, George recovered following months of treatment and has since gone on to enjoy good health.
Reflecting on his son’s journey, Lineker has described him as exceptionally fit and healthy, adding that George maintains a positive outlook and even jokes about the illness that nearly claimed his life decades ago.
The experience remains one of the defining moments of the former footballer’s personal life.
Relationships After Divorce
Following his divorce from Michelle, Lineker married Welsh actress and model Danielle Bux in 2009.
Their marriage ended after seven years, with the couple explaining they had different views about expanding their family.
Despite separating, they have remained on good terms and have often been seen spending time together as friends.
Danielle later moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and has since built a new family life with lawyer Nate Greenwald.
She is now the mother of two daughters.
A New Chapter Begins
As Lineker prepares to take on the role of grandfather, the former England captain is entering another important stage of family life.
After decades spent as one of football’s most recognizable figures and raising four sons, he is now looking forward to welcoming a new generation into the family, marking a joyful milestone that he says he is excited to experience for the very first time.
