Wayne Lineker has opened up about the darkest moments of the past year in a candid Instagram reel, revealing how he came close to death twice during a seven-week hospital stay for chronic pneumonia. The 63-year-old O Beach manager, brother of football pundit Gary Lineker, shared his story through a series of handwritten cards set to a choral version of Silent Night.
Lineker detailed a harrowing timeline: in April he flew to Ibiza and embarked on a 60-day bender, surviving on drugs, alcohol, and little sleep. In late June, a video of him intoxicated went viral, becoming the number one trending video on TikTok and Twitter for the wrong reasons. By early July, he was admitted to rehab for six weeks, where his immune system crashed and he fought seven infections, including shingles.
After a brief return to Ibiza, he left within days, realising it was too soon. In November, he caught a serious infection in Dubai, flew home, and was diagnosed with chronic pneumonia. He spent seven weeks in hospital, where he came frighteningly close to death twice. Lineker missed Christmas with his family, describing the experience as 'pure hell'.
Now approaching six months sober, Lineker ended his reel on a positive note, saying: 'Going to rehab was the best decision of my life. If I can do it, so can you!' He has since been discharged from hospital and is fully committed to a healthy lifestyle, looking forward to a fresh start in 2026.
