Wayne Lineker reveals the heart-wrenching family moment that drove him to sobriety - and the shocking way he used to start every day when alcoholism was at its worst

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Wayne Lineker opened up about the heart-wrenching family moment that drove him to sobriety on Tuesday's instalment of Good Morning Britain - and the shocking way he used to start every day when his alcoholism was at its worst. 

The 63-year-old, who is best known for owning O Beach Ibiza, appeared on the ITV show to talk about his recent battle with pneumonia.

Wayne admitted that he came 'frightening close to death' after spending seven weeks in hospital with the illness, defined by the NHS as an 'inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection'. 

He also touched upon his decision to quit booze and alcohol six months ago.

Wayne told presenters Susanna Reid and Ed Balls: 'My son Dwayne called me in the office one day and said to me, because I've got two granddaughters in Ibiza, that I pick up regularly from school.

'He said to me, I went into the office and he said "Dad, we can't have you picking up the girls from school anymore".

Wayne Lineker opened up about the heart-wrenching family moment that drove him to sobriety on Tuesday's instalment of Good Morning Britain - and the shocking way he used to start every day when his alcoholism was at its worst 

The 63-year-old, who is best known for owning O Beach Ibiza which is located on the party island of Ibiza, appeared on the ITV show to talk about his recent battle with pneumonia 

The star touched upon his decision to quit booze and alcohol six months ago after a stint in rehab

'Because I always had alcohol in my system, or drugs.'

He added: 'As much as an upset as that was, it really hit home.' 

At the start of the interview Wayne spoke about what his day consisted of when he was still drinking alcohol and taking drugs.

Wayne explained: 'It's been the worst year but the best year of my life. I've been through a lot starting with my alcohol journey. I've gone through a lot this year.

'Starting with my journey with alcohol, enough was enough for me, after 37 years in the industry. Drinking pretty much every day. It took its toll, shall we say. 

'I found myself in a never-ending cycle of lack of energy in the morning when I wake up.

'So my breakfast of choice was a cheese and tomato toasted sandwich and a vodka red bull. 

'It was a never-ending cycle I couldn't get out of because I didn't want to spend the whole day in my villa on my own, hungover, anxious. So I reached out to what I called my magic medicine at the time. 

Wayne explained: 'It's been the worst year but the best year of my life. I've been through a lot starting with my journey alcohol. I've gone through a lot this year'

Wayne said: 'So my breakfast of choice was a cheese and tomato toasted sandwich and a vodka red bull' 

'I was so anxious in the mornings, I wasn't behaving well, I was doing some silly things and viral videos came out of me, it was the turning point really.'

Last month Wayne revealed to fans that he had spent some time in hospital after 'seven weeks of pure hell' where he suffered two severe attacks of pneumonia.

He told the hosts: 'I was close to death twice. I actually went to Dubai, caught an infection, what I thought was very similar to Covid. So I was a bit worried I'd jumped on the plane, put a mask on and went home.  

'When I got home, this is about eight weeks ago now, I was feeling really ill, the infection that I had seemed to be getting worse.

'I had a couple of hours sleep and it was late at night because the flight didn't land until late afternoon.

'It was 2 o'clock in the morning, I went into bed, my phone was at the other side of the room and I woke up two hours later. I couldn't move at all. 

'The pain I was receiving, it attacked the lower spine in my back.

'I managed to crawl to the phone, got out my bed, the worst two minutes in my life, I had to call an ambulance.

Last month Wayne revealed to fans that he had spent some time in hospital after 'seven weeks of pure hell' where he suffered two severe attacks of pneumonia 

'I couldn't explain where I lived, I phoned my daughter, I thought I was having a heart attack, she's super upset, she's called her mum, she's come around, called the ambulance and it was so horrific.

'It's not just a chest infection, your whole body.' 

On December 28, Wayne celebrated being discharged from Basildon & Thurrock University Hospital following his lengthy stay over the festive period.

He told how it took 'all of his courage and fight' to recover from the 'deadly infection', which can prove fatal if caught by vulnerable people.

Showing he was feeling fighting fit again, Wayne posted with his fists in the air, wearing an orange velour tracksuit top with joggers and trainers

Alongside the photo, he wrote: '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... #pneumonia.' 

Wayne's daughter Tia shared a sweet message in the comments section, saying: 'You are so strong, can't wait to snuggle you'. Wayne replied: 'Love you.'

It was a big blow for the brother of Gary Lineker who was forced to spend Christmas in hospital as he recovered from the condition.

But he seemed he wasn't letting his stay get him down as he shared a festive health update with his fans ahead of his release.

The O Beach club owner was rushed to hospital earlier in December, after suffering a second severe pneumonia attack - almost a month after he first fell ill.

But sharing his Christmas joy, he posted a photo on Instagram surrounded by nurses as they posed in the hospital's corridor.

Wayne wore a red and white striped pyjama set and completed the look with a fluffy Santa hat.

Captioning the heartwarming photo, he wrote: 'Merry Christmas everyone love from me and all the girls at the Bursted ward Basildon Hospital. Christmas tunes are on!! Been video calling my family too.' 

He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance after suffering a second severe pneumonia attack - almost a month after he first fell ill

The star recently confirmed he has beat pneumonia and will be going home on Boxing Day as he must complete his IV course of antibiotics.

Recording himself in a hospital bed wearing a Christmas hat on Wednesday, Wayne told his followers: 'Guys, I just got the news. I'm going home! But not until Boxing Day.

'I have beat pneumonia!! After undoubtedly the toughest six weeks of my life I will go home Boxing Day.

'Unfortunately, I will spend Christmas Day in hospital as I have two days left on my IV course of antibiotics. But very happy.

'Thank you to all the incredible doctors and Nurses at Basildon hospital.'

The nightclub owner shared that he almost lost his life and had endured an operation on his lung to help ease his intense pain.

Wayne had taken a turn for the worse while his son Sean was looking after him at home.

He wrote at the time: 'PNEUMONIA UPDATE.

'Unfortunately, after being discharged from hospital last week with antibiotics and further medication, I was only home for four days before suffering a severe second attack.

The nightclub owner shared that he almost lost his life and had endured an operation on his lung to help ease his intense pain (pictured in October)

'While being cared for at home by my son @seanlineker1 I had to be taken back to hospital by ambulance - thank goodness he was there.'

Wayne revealed that his immune system has been struggling after he 'stopped drinking alcohol' and became sober earlier this year.

He had said: 'In short, I still have pneumonia, and the doctors are now investigating why the antibiotics haven’t been fully effective.

'I’ve had countless scans and blood tests, with many results already back and more still to come.

'The good news is that it appears to have nothing to do with my heart and is more likely linked to my immune system, which hasn’t been the same since I stopped drinking alcohol.

'I experienced multiple infections during rehab due to such a drastic lifestyle change, and now, almost six months sober, this still seems to be a significant factor. If this is confirmed, I’ll be treated with a strong course of antibiotics and steroids via drip.

'It’s now looking like I’ll be spending Christmas in hospital but I’ve come to accept it, and I’ll stay here until I’m completely well enough to go home.

'Thank you all so much for the love, it truly means everything #pneumonia #beingpositive'.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.