Wayne Lineker Reunites with Brother After 17 Years

Wayne Lineker says his 17 year estrangement from older brother Gary ended shortly before he gave up drinking, .

Ironically, a family wedding would end a rift that began almost two decades earlier,  when an internal dispute led to Wayne's absence as Gary exchanged vows with his second wife, Danielle Bux, in . 

Recalling his reunion with the former England striker and one-time Match Of The Day host, Wayne, 63 - now seven months sober - says his drinking was at its worst when they finally healed old wounds. 

'Gary’s son Harry got married in Ibiza when I was in the middle of my 60-day binge and it was the first time I’d spoken to Gary properly for 15 years,' he told The Sunday Times. 

'I wasn’t too drunk because it was daytime and it was a beautiful occasion. Gary’s table was next to mine and it was like we never fell out. We actually never did fall out — it was just something that happened which I won’t speak about.' 

That something may well have been Gary' marriage to Welsh model Danielle Bux in 2009. 

The couple exchanged vows in Ravello on Italy's stunning Amalfi Coast, but Wayne was notably absent from the guest list after refusing to attend because his brother told him that he couldn't bring his then-girlfriend, Ana Tanaka, who he had been dating for 18 months. 

But the brothers appeared to roll back the years as Harry married his fiancée Annabelle last June, with social media footage capturing them downing drinks and letting their hair down at the ensuing outdoor reception. 

Gary would also be present several months present, when Wayne - just four weeks into a six month treatment programme after giving up drinking - walked his daughter Tia down the aisle in Mallorca. 

On paper their lives couldn't be more different, of course. While Gary would become a professional footballer, earning 80 England caps and representing his country at two consecutive World Cups, his entrepreneurial brother would trade off his famous surname by opening Lineker's sports bar in Magaluf. 

But Wayne insists he was never jealous of his brother, whose footballing skills took from Leicester City to Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, before ending his career in Japan with Nagoya Grampus Eight.  

'There was never one millimetre of jealousy,' he said. 'I grew up with him getting better and better… No one could get to the ball as fast as he could and he was just scoring for fun. 

'I was so honoured to be his brother. It was a massive part of my life.' 

Wayne previously reflected on his 17-year feud with his brother before attending his nephew's wedding, telling The Mail's Straight to the Comments! podcast that relations were strained.

'It's not so good to be honest, we don't really speak very often,' he said. 'I'll always be his number one fan.' 

Their feud could arguably be traced back to 2008, when former England and Barcelona striker brought then girlfriend Danielle Bux on holiday to Ibiza. 

'In my opinion, Danielle cost me my relationship with my brother. Sadly Gary is no longer a part of my life,' Wayne told The Sun in April 2015.

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

Wayne is now seven months sober after seeking help at Surrey rehab Priory Life Works House, but his abstinence coincided with a seven week stay in hospital after he contracted two severe attacks of . 

The O Beach founder revealed he began to feel unwell on a flight to the UK from after visiting his daughter, Tia. 

He told The Mirror: 'After three days at home, I had another really big attack - I was in a severe state. The doctor told my son I was in big danger and my blood pressure was ridiculously low. 

'But they said, "We're just going to tell your dad he's ok. We'll get an ambulance."' 

He added: 'There were two times I nearly passed away - it was a real eye opener for me. I became worried about my life. Am I going to make it? 

'I lost so much weight, I lost 11 kilograms of weight because I was lying in bed for seven weeks.' 

Now out of hospital, Wayne is taking things slowly and trying to improve his health by going to the gym and taking supplements. 

And there are no plans to return to O Beach, with the club-owner vowing to 'carry on being sober, because I'm enjoying it.'