Gary Lineker has previously spoken with heartbreaking honesty about one of the most difficult chapters of his life — the moment he was told that his infant son might not survive after being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The beloved football presenter and former England striker, now 64, has become a familiar face to millions through his long-standing role on programmes like Match of the Day. But behind the cameras, the 1990s brought unimaginable pain for Gary and his family. It was during this period that his young son was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia — a rare and aggressive form of cancer — shortly after birth. The devastating news left Gary fearing the worst, and he has since recalled the emotional toll of watching his child fight for life at such a fragile age. His story is a sobering reminder that fame and success offer no protection from life’s hardest moments.

Gary’s son George was diagnosed with leukemia as a baby (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Gary Lineker on son’s cancer diagnosis

Gary is a proud dad to four sons. He shares George, Harry, Tobias and Angus with ex-wife Michelle Cockayne.

Back in 1991 though, the family was dealt some devastating news when George, just two months old, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia – and was given between a 10 and 20% chance of survival.

Prior to the diagnosis, Gary and Michelle started noticing small bumps on George’s forehead. He also had become unsettled and had swellings under the arms and in his groins.

Despite the biopsy being clear and the doctors confirming it was a skin condition, Gary was not too sure about it. He voiced his concerns to take a closer look.

“There were two of them and I’ll never, never forget it. They took his nappy off, had a look and then they just looked at each other and went: ‘Oh, I’m really sorry to tell you, this is something far more serious,’” Gary said on the In The Moment podcast in 2022.

Gary recalled the terrifying ordeal (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Gary Lineker said ‘it felt like the end of the world

He added: “Leukaemia was a word I knew about. It wasn’t something I was an expert on. I knew it meant it was some kind of blood cancer… it just felt like the end of the world.

“Within half an hour we were in the back of an ambulance going to Great Ormond Street.”

George then underwent a series of tests during the night. It was also revealed that his platelet count was dangerously low. Platelets are cells that help blood clots.

Gary recalled: “We were being told that it was incredibly difficult for him to make it through the night and they’ve got to start chemotherapy immediately.”

A few hours later, George was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, and also given between 10 and 20% chance of survival.

Gary was told that the next few days would be crucial, and Gary revealed: “It was pretty grim. Frightening.”

‘It’s all a blur’

Gary ended up going home while Michelle stayed at the hospital in a small bed next to George’s cot.

However, the day after Gary recalled waking up to find “about 20 photographers outside”.

He said: “We hadn’t really said anything to anyone so I don’t know where it came from. I’d called Terry Venables the night before to tell him and he was brilliant.

“He said: ‘Listen, you take all the time in the world, this is way more important than football.’ I then called him to tell him what was happening at the house and he came over and drove me into the hospital. But it’s all a bit of a blur…”

Gary also reflected on the early days in the hospital with George, describing them as “really difficult”.

The TV star explained: “They had to put so much into his body — blood, platelets, chemotherapy — which is all generally liquid, plus stuff to sustain him because he was only eight weeks old.

“He was the shape — and this is not meant to be any kind of joke — but he was the shape of a football. He was just round because he had that much fluid in him.”

Fortunately baby George would go on to beat the disease and make a full recovery. He is now 33 years old and often pictured with his famous dad.