Wayne Lineker, the prominent nightclub entrepreneur and brother of football pundit Gary Lineker, has delivered a raw and emotional account of what he describes as the "worst year" of his life, culminating in a frightening brush with death.
A Harrowing Descent into Addiction
In a poignant Instagram reel set to a choral version of Silent Night, the 63-year-old founder of Ibiza's famed O Beach used handwritten cards to detail a brutal 12-month period. He explained that in April 2025, he flew to Ibiza for the summer season, which swiftly descended into a 60-day bender sustained by drugs, alcohol, and minimal sleep.
The low point came at the end of June when he awoke to discover a video of himself intoxicated had gone viral. The clip became the number one trending topic on both TikTok and Twitter, but for all the wrong reasons. This public humiliation acted as a catalyst, leading to his admission to a rehabilitation facility at the beginning of July for a six-week programme.
A Physical Collapse and Fight for Life
His body, ravaged by substance abuse, began to shut down. Lineker's immune system crashed, and he battled seven separate infections, including a painful bout of shingles. After completing rehab, he returned to Ibiza for the final two weeks of the season but realised the environment was too triggering, forcing him to leave after just a few days.
The real crisis struck in November. While in Dubai, he contracted a serious infection, flew home to the UK, and was diagnosed with chronic pneumonia. What followed was a seven-week hospital stay at Basildon Hospital that he has since called "pure hell."
"Where I came frighteningly close to death… twice," Lineker revealed in his social media post. The illness was so severe it left him unable to walk and meant he spent Christmas Day 2025 in a hospital bed, connected to an IV course of antibiotics, missing precious time with his family.
A Message of Hope and Sobriety
Despite the trauma, Lineker chose to end his video on a powerfully positive note. Filmed outdoors, he shared that he is now approaching six months sober and is fully committed to a healthy lifestyle. He offered a message of solidarity to others struggling, stating, "Going to rehab was the best decision of my life. If I can do it, so can you!"
On 28th December, he joyfully announced his discharge from hospital, posting a smiling snap with the caption: "I am free. Can't even explain how happy I am to be fully recovered and out of hospital after seven weeks of pure hell. It took all my courage and fight to get over this deadly infection."
His recovery news was met with an outpouring of support from friends and fans. Former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh and DJ Collin Francis were among thousands who liked and commented on his post, wishing him well for the future.
Wayne Lineker's candid story serves as a stark warning about the physical devastation of addiction, but ultimately stands as a testament to the possibility of recovery and renewal as the new year begins.
