Wayne Lineker, the prominent nightclub owner and brother of football legend Gary Lineker, has shared a harrowing account of a near-fatal health crisis, revealing he almost died from a severe case of chronic pneumonia.
A Traumatic Ordeal and a Life-Saving Operation
Speaking from a hospital bed in a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday, the 63-year-old disclosed he had undergone a life-saving operation just the day before. Lineker, who owns the famous O Beach club in Ibiza, described the past 16 days as "the most traumatic of my life… a truly near-death experience."
He believes his survival hinged on a crucial lifestyle change. "I honestly don’t think I would have been medically strong enough to survive it if I wasn’t four months sober," he stated candidly, suggesting his body was healthier and better prepared for the fight.
From Dubai Infection to UK Intensive Care
Lineker explained that he initially caught an infection while in Dubai. Feeling desperately ill, he immediately flew back to the UK. After arriving home, his condition deteriorated rapidly. "I woke up and I couldn't move," he recounted.
In a panic, he called his daughter, Tia, at 6 a.m., who then alerted her mother. They managed to summon an ambulance, which rushed him to Whipps Cross Hospital in London. There, doctors diagnosed him with chronic pneumonia, a serious chest infection where the lungs' air sacs become inflamed and fill with fluid.
His treatment was intense and immediate. "I was put straight into intensive care where I spent nine or ten days," he said, before being moved to a respiratory ward. The illness left him completely debilitated. "I can't get out of bed. I can't walk. I have to have two people help me to go to the toilet," he shared, calling it an "incredibly painful experience."
Road to Recovery and Profound NHS Thanks
Believing he is now on the mend, Lineker detailed the recent surgery to remove pockets of phlegm and pus from his lungs. "They have operated on me yesterday, I've got a tube coming out of me now which sucks all the pus out," he explained, noting the procedure had already brought significant relief.
His gratitude towards the National Health Service was profound. He captioned his video: "To the incredible NHS staff who cared for me: thank you. Those two words don’t feel enough." He pledged to show his appreciation more tangibly, saying, "Next season, I’ll be doing something special for NHS hospital workers across the UK."
Despite his improving condition, Lineker acknowledged a long road ahead, requiring months of rehabilitation and physiotherapy. He signed off with characteristic resilience: "Wayne's going nowhere. I've survived five day benders... so this is a walk in the park for me."
His daughter Tia echoed the family's distress in the comments, writing: "Worst few weeks of my life, that call was something I will never forget... You are so strong, always my hero."
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening chest infection affecting the tiny air sacs in the lungs. It is caused by bacteria or viruses, leading to inflammation and fluid build-up that severely hampers breathing. It is particularly dangerous for older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions.
