Gary Lineker has revealed he is "not worried about death" but is troubled by the prospect of cognitive deterioration in his later years. The 65-year-old former footballer and broadcaster admitted he has "definitely noticed" the effects of ageing since turning 65.
Post-football career success
Lineker's broadcasting career following his football days has proved remarkably successful. He became the face of Walkers crisps through their advertisements since the 1990s and enjoyed a quarter-century stint with the BBC. He presented Match of the Day until his tenure at the broadcaster concluded last year. The programme has since been helmed by Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, though Lineker has remained busy with various projects.
He co-owns podcast powerhouse Goalhanger, which produces the acclaimed "The Rest Is" franchise, including The Rest Is Football - presented by Lineker alongside former footballers Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. He has also turned his attention to American audiences after launching a Netflix adaptation of the podcast for the World Cup; this has subsequently expanded to encompass Premier League coverage as well.
Health fears and ageing
Lineker is said to be in superb physical condition, practising Pilates and working with a personal trainer three times weekly, though this hasn't prevented him from noticing the effects of reaching 65. Speaking to The Observer Magazine, he said: "I've definitely noticed ageing since I turned 65. Knees a bit creakier, hips a bit creakier. I always thought if I could get to maybe 80, living in a relatively healthy, fit state - not lose my marbles - and then just go overnight, I'd take that."
He added: "I'm not worried about death. It's the suffering along the way. Particularly for footballers, we're all worried about the possible onset of dementia or Alzheimer's. But just get me to Switzerland if it gets that bad. I've got no interest in growing old like that."
New ITV show The Box
Lineker also presents a new ITV programme called The Box. In this show, 10 celebrities are crammed into yellow boxes and transported to various locations across the country, where they face a series of "tricky" challenges upon the doors opening. Previously discussing the show, Lineker said: "It's different - it's something I've never done before, which appealed to me, alongside the unique nature of the concept. It's fun, it's family-friendly, and it's great prime time telly. What's not to like?"
He added: "You make assumptions about how someone will cope based on what you know of them, and then The Box opens and you're proved completely wrong." In the inaugural series, Lineker will supervise an impressive line-up of personalities: Danny Aarons, Ellie Taylor, Graeme Souness, JB Gill, Jenny Ryan, Joey Essex, John Bercow, Ranvir Singh, Sara Davies and Shakira Khan.
Lineker confesses he struggled to keep a straight face during filming, admitting he "didn't always manage it". He also hinted at some of the highlights viewers can anticipate, singling out two celebrities in particular: Danny Aarons and John Bercow. He added: "You'll see I didn't always manage it. Without wanting to give too much away, one of the earliest days of filming saw Danny sprint off at a well-known racecourse, not entirely sure what he was doing or why. Even thinking back to that now, and having seen it a few times since, it's very funny. John Bercow at Butlins was also tremendous."
