Gary Lineker has lived in numerous houses (Image: Getty Images)
Gary Lineker once offloaded his luxurious £2.1million bachelor pad at an estimated loss of £400,000 to move into a more spacious £2.6m family home with Danielle Bux. The football presenter, who nearly 12 months ago left BBC’s Match of the Day after a 26-year run, has resided in numerous properties over the years.
Initially, Lineker had intended to continue fronting FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup for the BBC even after revealing in November that he would be stepping down from MOTD following the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. However, in the wake of controversy surrounding a social media post shared by Lineker, it was announced that the broadcaster would sever all connections with the BBC after this weekend’s programme. In a sincere statement, Lineker said: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
Gary Lineker married Michelle Cockayne in 1986 (Image: TV Times via Getty Images)
“I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-semitic – it goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am.
“Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.” Since then, reporters have been camped outside Lineker’s southwest London residence seeking comment. But what of the various other homes that Lineker has occupied throughout the years?
Lineker sold his £2.1m bachelor pad at a loss Lineker and Michelle Cockayne tied the knot in 1986, going on to have four sons together – George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus. Yet two decades on, Michelle filed for divorce from the sports pundit, citing “unreasonable behaviour” and later claiming that Lineker had caused her “stress and anxiety”.
Following the split, Lineker began a relationship with model Danielle Bux, despite a 20-year age gap. The couple exchanged vows in 2009 at a lavish ceremony in Italy, with Lineker taking on the role of stepfather to Bux’s daughter, Ella.
To make room for his new family, Lineker sold his £2.1m bachelor pad, reportedly absorbing a £400,000 loss in order to purchase a £2.6m five-bedroom property in Esher, Surrey.
Gary Lineker moved in with Danielle Bux (Image: GC Images)
Reflecting on his choice to put down roots in Surrey, Lineker revealed he was keen to leave his past behind and embrace rural life, while remaining within easy reach of his sons. Discussing his new surroundings in 2011, he said: “Surrey is pretty perfect, after all, wasn’t it recently voted the most desirable county in the UK? That says it all right?
“It just came at a time when I moved away from my previous life and was looking for somewhere that wasn’t too great a distance from the boys or from London. Esher seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
“We just stumbled upon it and fell in love immediately. It’s a stunning part of not just the UK, but the world – gorgeous, lush countryside and picturesque little towns and villages with character, all of their own that you don’t find anywhere else.”
Located just 14 miles south of Charing Cross sits the charming yet prosperous district of Esher, renowned for consistently ranking amongst the most expensive places to reside in the UK. According to Rightmove, the overall average property price over the last year stood at £980,519.
The majority of sales in Esher last year involved detached properties, which fetched an impressive average price of £1,434,093. Semi-detached houses secured an average of £947,587, while flats changed hands for approximately £456,744.
Esher’s High Street boasts numerous period buildings, including The Bear public house – an early 19th-century establishment originally built to serve coaches travelling between London and Portsmouth.
The historic thoroughfare also features an array of quirky cafes and upmarket restaurants, attracting significant footfall. Additionally, Esher Commons provides a sanctuary for outdoor lovers, keen on walking, horse riding, or birdwatching.
Gary Lineker owned a home in Esher (Image: Getty Images)
Lineker and Bux’s marriage eventually ended in 2016, making it unclear whether he has kept hold of the desirable property he purchased in Esher.
Lineker currently resides in the upmarket London neighbourhood of Barnes, in a property he bought more than a decade ago for £4m. This has served as his main home, where he has raised his four sons.
The house boasts an impressive range of lavish features, including a private gym, a generous kitchen, multiple bedrooms, a cinema room, and a stunning garden.