Inside the Shocking Reconciliation: What Ended Gary and Wayne Lineker’s 17-Year Rift?

If you’d asked me last year whether we’d ever see the Lineker brothers side by side and smiling again, I’d have laughed harder than Gary facing a penalty shoot-out. Family feuds, especially when catalyzed by an awkward Ibiza getaway (is there any other kind?), tend to stick. But lo and behold—Gary, fresh off a media firestorm at the BBC, and Wayne, the unofficial kingpin of Ibiza nightlife, have finally mended their legendary rift after 17 years. Isn’t it wild how sometimes it takes a wedding, white sand, and possibly a few too many cocktails to remind us blood really is thicker than a “genuine mistake” on social media? Makes you wonder—if these two can set their differences aside, what’s stopping the rest of us? Get the full story, secrets and all, as the Linekers patch things up on the world’s biggest party island. LEARN MORE

Gary and Wayne Lineker look to have finally reconnected after a feud which began in Ibiza 17 years ago.

The footballing legend and former Match of the Day host was spotted in Ibiza earlier this month as Wayne’s daughter Tia married fellow former footballer Harry Agombar on the Spanish island.

Gary has had an illustrious career in the media since his playing career ended and worked with the BBC for over 30 years, before a ‘genuine mistake‘ led to his exit earlier this year.

Forced to apologise after sharing a social media post about zionism with an illustration of a rat, he 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.

“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 antisemitic – 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.”

Gary Lineker was recently confirmed to be moving to ITV after his BBC exit (Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Wayne, meanwhile, has forged celebrity status in a different manner, owning the famous O Beach club in Ibiza, which has housed some of the world’s biggest names, and also the Ibiza final boss.

The Spanish party islands are famed for bringing couples’ relationships to an end, but it was the brothers’ relationship which hit the rocks after Wayne and his second wife Danielle met with Wayne in 2008.

Why did Wayne and Gary Lineker become estranged?

Wayne told The Sun in 2015: “In my opinion, Danielle cost me my relationship with my brother.

“Sadly Gary is no longer a part of my life.

“They came to Ibiza in August 2008 and it was really awkward. I didn’t spark with Danielle and our relationship was cold.”

Wayne claims Danielle didn’t speak to him the first night, taking to her hotel room saying she was ill, and the night after she also failed to engage with him when they all went out to dinner.

Wayne Lineker’s wish for them to be reunited has been fulfilled (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

He said: “I didn’t understand why it was like that.”

While Wayne was Gary’s best man when he married Michelle Cockayne in 1986, he didn’t attend his wedding to Danielle after he claims Gary wouldn’t let him bring his girlfriend of a year and a half.

The brothers’ weekly phone calls and home visits stopped as tensions rose.

Since then, the club owner was always keen for them to reunite.

In a recent interview with The Mail, Wayne said: “It’s not so good to be honest, we don’t really speak very often. I’ll always be his number one fan.”

And in November last year, he wrote on Instagram how their late parents ‘will be looking down on us with one wish – that would be to become proper brothers again. #lifestooshort’.

Fortunately, his wishes seem to have come true as they both appeared in good spirits at Tia’s wedding, and they were pictured smiling together for the first time in nearly two decades.

Wayne attended the wedding of Gary’s son Harry, which also took place recently, but this is the first time the brothers have been snapped together since their feud resolved.