Wayne Lineker, the prominent Ibiza club boss and brother of football pundit Gary Lineker, has bravely revealed that 2025 was the "worst year of my life so far", marked by a severe addiction battle and a life-threatening health crisis.
A Harrowing Year Documented on Instagram
In a candid and emotional Instagram reel, the 63-year-old used handwritten cards to chronologically detail his struggles over the past twelve months. The video, set to a choral version of 'Silent Night', offered a raw insight into his personal turmoil.
Lineker explained that in April, he flew to Ibiza for the summer season but descended into a 60-day bender, surviving on a dangerous mix of drugs, alcohol, and very little sleep.
The Wake-Up Call and Road to Recovery
The turning point came at the end of June when he awoke to find a video of himself "off my face" had gone viral, becoming the number one trending clip on TikTok and Twitter for all the wrong reasons. This public humiliation spurred him to seek help.
At the beginning of July, he checked into a rehabilitation facility for a six-week programme. His immune system, ravaged by his lifestyle, crashed, leading to him fighting seven infections, including a bout of shingles.
After rehab, he returned to Ibiza briefly but realised the environment was too challenging so soon, leaving after only a few days.
A Near-Fatal Health Battle
His ordeal took a more severe turn in November. While in Dubai, he contracted a serious infection, flew home to the UK, and was diagnosed with chronic pneumonia.
He was immediately hospitalised, beginning a gruelling seven-week stay at Basildon Hospital. During this time, his condition became critical. Lineker revealed he "came frighteningly close to death... twice" and described the experience as "pure hell".
The pneumonia was so debilitating it left him unable to walk, forcing him to spend Christmas Day in hospital, separated from his family. He was finally discharged on 28 December, declaring himself "fully recovered" after what he called the toughest six weeks of his life.
A Message of Hope and Sobriety
Despite the trauma, Lineker ended his video message on a powerfully positive note. He announced he is now approaching six months sober and is fully committed to a healthy lifestyle.
He offered a message of hope to others struggling, stating: "Going to rehab was the best decision of my life. If I can do it, so can you!" He concluded by looking ahead, saying, "Here's to a fresh start. Roll in 2026. Happy New Year!"
His posts attracted an outpouring of support from friends and fans, including former Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh and DJ Collin Francis, celebrating his recovery and newfound strength.
