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Gary Lineker and his ex-wife Danielle Bux have shared a "Christmas tipple" together, eight years after their unexpected separation. The 64 year old football legend has maintained a friendly relationship with the 45 year old Welsh model and actress since their divorce in 2016.
They were married for seven years after being set up on a blind date by friends in 2007. Unlike many former couples, Gary and Danielle have remained close friends.
On Tuesday night, they were seen enjoying a candlelit dinner in London. Danielle posted pictures of their festive outing on Instagram, revealing that they dined at the upscale Notting Hill restaurant Dorian.
A snapshot of their table showed a bottle of red wine and a delicious-looking tomato salad. Later in the evening, Danielle shared a cosy selfie of her and Gary waiting on a platform, bundled up against the cold.
She captioned the post "night tube" as they waited for their Tube ride home. Danielle now resides in Los Angeles, having moved to the US after her divorce from Gary.
The BBC's highest paid star, stepped down as co-presenter of Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) following the news he will also leave Match of the Day after 25 years. Gary opted to skip the awards ceremony held last night as he enjoyed his annual festive get together with his ex-wife.
Despite their evident affection for each other, it was reported that their split was due to Danielle's wish to have more children.
She is already a mother to her 23 year old daughter Ella from a previous relationship and daughter Romy, seven, whom she shares with her husband Nate Greenwald.
Meanwhile, the footballing legend, has a brood of four from his marriage to Michelle Cockayne in 1986. With George, 32, Harry, 30, Tobias, 28, and Angus, 26 as their progeny, Gary's personal life took a turn when he and Michelle parted ways in May 2006.
Opening up on Gaby Logan's podcast The Mid-Point, the Match of the Day host shared insights into his separation from Danielle Bux, revealing, "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 moved on to find love with Nate, an entertainment lawyer in the US they married in 2019 and were blessed with Romy, now seven, in 2017.
The Match of the Day host elaborated in 2019, "Danielle and I are best mates, 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."
Gary remains a bachelor, unfazed by the lack of romance, attributing it to waning testosterone levels with advancing years. He reveals a full work schedule and time with sons fills his days, leaving him content.
Speaking with The Times, he conveyed, "I like being on my own... I don't feel lonely. I have the odd date here and there, but nothing, not 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 firmly brushed aside any inquiries about his love life, maintaining: "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."
English (US) ·