{"id":13410,"date":"2026-09-05T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/05\/gary-lineker-struggles-to-hold-back-tears-after-davina-mccalls-touching-words\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T19:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T18:00:00","slug":"gary-lineker-struggles-to-hold-back-tears-after-davina-mccalls-touching-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/05\/gary-lineker-struggles-to-hold-back-tears-after-davina-mccalls-touching-words\/","title":{"rendered":"Gary Lineker struggles to hold back tears after Davina McCall&#8217;s touching words"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_395f3f\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Gary Lineker was visibly moved during an appearance on Davina McCall&#8217;s Begin Again podcast when the host paused to deliver an unexpected and heartfelt tribute, leaving the former England striker warning her not to make him cry.<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37630948\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Gary Lineker\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Gary Lineker<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gary Lineker was left visibly emotional after <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/davina-mccall\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Davina McCall<\/a> interrupted their discussion to deliver a heartfelt and spontaneous tribute to the football legend.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The former England international had been opening up about some of the most challenging chapters of his life on Davina&#8217;s Begin Again podcast, including the frightening health crisis faced by his eldest son George.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, as their chat neared its end, Davina turned the spotlight onto Gary himself, reflecting on the profound influence he has had on countless people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She expressed gratitude to the 65-year-old for the joy and wisdom he has shared over the years, before commending his contributions beyond the pitch and his dedication as a father.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Davina said to him: &#8220;I just want to say thank you for being absolutely such a brilliant part of our lives for so long. For everything you&#8217;ve contributed to society and all the great entertainment you&#8217;ve given us and everything you&#8217;ve taught us,&#8221; reports <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/celebrity-news\/2245250\/gary-lineker-cry-davina-mccall-candid\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">the Express<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The touching remarks seemed to take Gary by surprise, with the presenter responding: &#8220;Don&#8217;t make me cry.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Davina went on to acknowledge his involvement with Goalhanger, the podcast production firm he helped establish, before celebrating his qualities as a parent and inspiration to many.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37630949\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37630949\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Trump Has 'Odd' Relationship With FIFA President, Football Pundit Gary Lineker Says\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630949.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Trump-Has-Odd-Relationship-With-FIFA-President-Football-Pundit-Gary-Lineker-Says.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630949.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Trump-Has-Odd-Relationship-With-FIFA-President-Football-Pundit-Gary-Lineker-Says.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630949.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Trump-Has-Odd-Relationship-With-FIFA-President-Football-Pundit-Gary-Lineker-Says.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630949.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Trump-Has-Odd-Relationship-With-FIFA-President-Football-Pundit-Gary-Lineker-Says.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Gary Lineker\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Gary Lineker<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She added: &#8220;With Goalhanger and all the lessons we&#8217;ve learned and for being a great dad and a great role model. Um, so thank you very much, Gary. Big round of applause for Gary.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The exchange grew even more intimate when Davina announced her intention to embrace him. She quipped: &#8220;Stay there. I&#8217;m coming over for an uncomfortably long hug. [laughter] Brace yourself. That was great. Thank you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The heartfelt moment came after an intensely personal discussion where Gary opened up about the trauma that transformed his family&#8217;s life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His firstborn son George was merely six weeks old when medics grew worried about a bump on his head. What seemed at first to be a fairly straightforward concern resulted in a heartbreaking diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gary remembered the instant doctors delivered the news to him and his then-wife Michelle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;They just looked at each other and they went, &#8216;Mr. and Mrs. Lineker, I&#8217;m really sorry but this, this does appear to be something much more serious.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37630947\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37630947\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.7918367346938775\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Gary Lineker\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Gary-Lineker.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Gary-Lineker.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Gary-Lineker.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Gary-Lineker.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Gary Lineker\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Gary Lineker<cite aria-label=\"Image: Begin Again\/YouTube\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Begin Again\/YouTube)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Medical staff then suggested the possibility that the infant might have leukaemia. Gary confessed that while he understood it was a type of blood cancer, he had limited knowledge about the illness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">George was moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he underwent seven months of medical care.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Reflecting on that time, Gary characterised the experience as extraordinarily challenging. He revealed that he and Michelle would pass their days at the hospital with their boy before he headed home late each evening, while she stayed by his side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The couple ultimately discovered that George had acute myeloid leukaemia and that his survival prospects were terrifyingly slim.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gary stated doctors calculated his son had merely a ten to twenty per cent likelihood of making it through. The trauma also left deep psychological scars on Gary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He spoke of enduring repeated nightmares where he found himself carrying &#8220;a white coffin, a little tiny coffin&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">On several occasions, the family received warnings that George might not make it through the night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fortunately, he beat the odds and pulled through the illness.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37630950\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37630950\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The BRIT Awards 2026 - Car Arrivals\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630950.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_The-BRIT-Awards-2026-Car-Arrivals.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630950.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_The-BRIT-Awards-2026-Car-Arrivals.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630950.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_The-BRIT-Awards-2026-Car-Arrivals.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630950.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_The-BRIT-Awards-2026-Car-Arrivals.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Davina McCall\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Davina McCall<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gary&#8217;s path has since diverged considerably from his footballing career, with the presenter departing Match of the Day following many years with the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His post-football endeavours have thrived through Goalhanger, which has become one of Britain&#8217;s largest podcast production firms. The company posted \u00a337.9 million in turnover in 2025 and was crowned the nation&#8217;s fastest-growing private enterprise in June.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His own podcast, The <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/rest-is-football\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Rest Is Football<\/a>, co-hosted with former England colleague Alan Shearer and broadcaster <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/micah-richards\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Micah Richards<\/a>, has also transitioned to television.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gary is now preparing to front another programme with new <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/itv\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">ITV<\/a> game show The Box, while his conversation with Davina allowed him to discuss far more than just his professional life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Throughout the podcast, he also discussed his marriages, being a father, his BBC departure and adapting to living independently.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">The Box broadcasts on ITV and ITV Player on Saturday, September 5.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/entertainment\/celebrity\/gary-lineker-struggles-hold-back-37630951\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gary Lineker was visibly moved during an appearance on Davina McCall&#8217;s Begin Again podcast when the host paused to deliver an unexpected and heartfelt tribute, leaving the former England striker warning her not to make him cry. Gary Lineker(Image: Getty) Gary Lineker was left visibly emotional after Davina McCall interrupted their discussion to deliver a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk\/article37630948.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200d\/0_Crystal-Palace-v-Manchester-United-Premier-League.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[759,11523,7137,15982,3706,1562,574,4236,15983,7878,899,15981,11325,3666],"class_list":["post-13410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity","tag-bbc","tag-davina","tag-davina-mccall","tag-england-cricket-team","tag-gary","tag-hold","tag-itv","tag-lineker","tag-mccalls","tag-struggles","tag-tears","tag-the-box","tag-touching","tag-words"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13410"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13410\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}