Gary Lineker and Danielle But
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Gary Lineker admits that he’s gone off sex and says he’s happy on his own

The Match of the Day presenter has other priorities these days

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Gary Lineker is one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors – a football legend who’s gone on to become one of the BBC’s best-loved and highest-paid TV presenters.

So, you’d expect there to be no shortage of interest from potential partners.

However, the Match of the Day and Euro 2024 host, 63, once confessed he’d lost his appetite for sex.

And with other priorities in his life, he insisted that he’s happy being by himself.

Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker spoke candidly about his love life (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Who has Gary Lineker been married to?

Gary has tied the knot twice, first to Michelle Cockayne, with whom he has four sons – George, Harry, Tobias and Angus.

After splitting with Michelle in 2006, the former England international started dating actress and model Danielle Bux, the couple eventually walking down the aisle in 2009.

However, the marriage only lasted seven years, with the couple going their separate ways in 2016.

Since then, Gary has not had a serious partner – and it sounds like he wants to keep it that way.

Read more: Alex Scott tipped to ‘become the next Gary Lineker’

He told The Sun: “Occasionally I have a date, but then I’ll go and make it clear I’m not interested. So I feel bad. I don’t want to lead anyone up the garden path. It sounds selfish, but I’m really happy on my own.”

Gary even suggested that he’s gone off the idea of having sex.

Gary Lineker and Danielle But
Gary’s marriage to Danielle Bux lasted seven years (Credit: SplashNews.com)

What did Gary Lineker say about his love life?

He continued: “I’ve got good friends, I’ve got my kids, I like cooking, and I just don’t want any more sleeping with someone again. When you get a bit older, that urge fades, your testosterone levels drop. It’s just not that important.

“I like the fun of flirting, going on dates, kissing and cooking for someone. But that’s about as far as I want to take it. I’m not sure I’m asexual as such — no matter how old you are, a beautiful woman is a beautiful woman — but I just genuinely can’t be arsed now.”

Read more: Gary Lineker salary divides fans as he’s revealed as the BBCs highest-paid celebrity despite pay cut

Gary may not be too fussed about having sexy time nowadays, but it wasn’t always that way.

In 2019, the presenter revealed on his podcast Behind Closed Doors that he was once caught by a fan while getting jiggy with his first wife inside a sponsored car.

Gary Lineker's sons
Gary has four sons with his first wife (Credit: SplashNews.com)

He said: “As you do at some point when you’re dating, we found a country lane out in the middle of nowhere. And ‘Bam, bam, bam.’ There we are in the car and it all steams up.

“Suddenly we get a knock on the window and I’m like: ‘What’s that?’ And someone is going: ‘Gary, we know you’re in there, lad. We know you’re in there.’

Gary Lineker presents Match of the Day in his pants - BBC Sport

“I’ve gone: ‘Oh no, my name’s on the side of the car.’ Talk about taking the wind out of your sails. True story. I didn’t finish on that occasion!”

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor