'Our relationship was cold': Gary Lineker's brother Wayne reveals pair have been estranged for six years... and he blames star's wife Danielle for rift
Gary Lineker's brother Wayne has revealed that he has been estranged from the football pundit for six years.
The siblings, who were extremely close growing up together in Leicester, have barely spoken since 2008.
And the 53-year-old, who owns the Lineker's bar chain in Europe, is adamant that only one person is to blame for rift - Gary's second wife Danielle.
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Family rift: Wayne Lineker (left) reveals he has barely spoken to his older brother Gary in six years
Speaking to The Sun's Natalie Edwards, Wayne explains: 'In my opinion Danielle cost me my relationship with my brother. Sadly, Gary is no longer part of my life.'
The grey-haired Lothario, who enjoyed a brief run in TOWIE in 2013, reveals cracks began to show when Gary first brought Danielle to Ibiza, where he owns a club, shortly after they became an item in 2008.
He tells the publication: 'They came to Ibiza in August 2008 and it was really awkward. I didn't spark with Danielle and our relationship was cold.'
Wayne goes on to reveal that the final nail in the coffin came when he was banned from bringing his girlfriend of 18-months to the couple's lavish Italian wedding in 2009.
Cracks: Wayne claims that Gary started to become distant when he began dating Danielle Bux in 2008. They went on to wed in 2009
However, Wayne insists he's not angry with his elder brother, and is eager to reconcile for the sake of their mum Margaret.
'Mum would love us to be close again... I don't dislike my brother at all. I love him... I feel that he's changed since marrying Danielle.'
The couple exchanged vows in the Gulf of Solerno before throwing an extravagant reception for guests, believed to have set the multimillionaire sportsman back £250,000.
No spark: Club owner Wayne alleges he didn't click with his brother's new partner when they were introduced in Ibiza six years ago and blames her for driving a wedge between the pair
It was the ex-sports star's second marriage; his first to Michelle Cockayne ended in divorce in 2006 on the grounds of 'continuing unreasonable behaviour'. They share four children; George, Harry, Tobias and Angus.
Back in a 1994 interview, Gary described his brother as his 'best friend' and heaped praise on him for his business savvy, saying: 'Wayne is good at business, he has always been able to turn a penny into tuppence.
'I admire the way he has built up the clubs. I backed him with the first one in Tenerife but he has now taken it over. It is his little empire. I'm very proud of him.'
MailOnline has contacted representatives for both Gary and Danielle for comment.
Happy: Wayne, 53, now also has a brunette beauty named Danielle in his life. He has been dating model Danielle Sandhu since last year
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