Gary Lineker has lived in a number of homes over the years, including a £2.1m bachelor pad which he sold at a loss to buy a £2.6m property with his second wife, Danielle Bux

Gary Lineker has lived in a number of lavish properties in his time(Image: undefined via Getty Images)

Gary Lineker sold his £2.1million bachelor pad at a loss of about £400,000 to upgrade to a £2.6 million family abode alongside Danielle Bux.

The renowned presenter, originally scheduled to continue presenting FA Cup matches and the 2026 World Cup for the BBC even after announcing his exit from Match of the Day after the 2024/25 season, has had his plans upended. Controversy came last week when Lineker shared a social media post on Zionism that included a rat emoji, widely regarded as an anti-Semitic symbol.

This ultimately led to the announcement that he will sever his ties with the BBC completely following this weekend’s showing of MOTD. In a statement on Monday, 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.

“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,” reports the Mirror.

Reporters have been posted outside Lineker’s southwest London residence in recent days, seeking insights into his current situation. Yet, much intrigue surrounds the other properties Lineker has called home over time.

Lineker’s financial hit

After a 20-year union with Michelle Cockayne, with whom he shares four sons – George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus – the couple’s marriage ended when Michelle sought a divorce from the broadcaster in 2006, allegedly citing “unreasonable behaviour”. Following the end of his first marriage, Lineker began a relationship with model Danielle Bux, despite an age difference of two decades.

Gary Lineker married Michelle Cockayne in 1986(Image: TV Times / Getty)

The pair exchanged vows in a picturesque Italian ceremony two years later, and Lineker became stepfather to Bux’s daughter, Ella. To accommodate his new family setup, Lineker parted ways with his £2.1m bachelor flat – suffering a £400,000 loss in the process – to purchase a lavish £2.6m five-bedroom, six bathroom house in Esher, Surrey.

Stunning £2.6m home

Talking about his idyllic Surrey dwelling, Lineker shared his desire to start fresh in the countryside but still remain close to his sons. Esher, thus, became the chosen location for him and Bux.

Regarding his choice, Lineker said in 2011: “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.

The BBC star moved in with Danielle Bux after his divorce(Image: GC Images)

“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 14 miles south of Charing Cross, Esher is a charming and affluent area that consistently ranks among the UK’s most expensive places to live. According to Rightmove, the average house price in Esher over the past year was £980,519.

Detached properties, which made up the majority of sales, averaged £1,434,093, while semi-detached homes sold for £947,587 and flats fetched £456,744. Esher’s High Street boasts historic buildings like The Bear public house, built in the early 19th century to serve coaches travelling between London and Portsmouth.

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The street is also lined with upscale restaurants and cafes, attracting numerous visitors. Nearby, Esher Commons remains an unspoiled haven for walking, horse riding, and bird watching, thanks to its lush green spaces.

Lineker owned a home in the sought-after area of Esher(Image: Getty Images)

Although Lineker and Bux divorced in 2016, it is unclear whether he still owns the property he purchased.

Lineker’s swanky £4m residence

Currently, Lineker resides in the posh neighbourhood of Barnes in London. He purchased a property there over a decade ago for £4m, and it has served as the primary residence for raising his four sons.

The house is equipped with an in-house gym, a spacious kitchen, several bedrooms, a cinema room, and a beautiful garden, among other appealing features.