I had nightmares of a small white coffin Viewers in tears as Lineker reveals trauma of son’s cancer battle
GARY Lineker reduced viewers to tears when he opened up about his recurring nightmares of carrying a “small white coffin” while his baby son battled leukaemia.
The former England and Tottenham striker’s eldest son George, now 26, was diagnosed with the rare blood cancer as a baby after his parents noticed a small lump on his head.
Telling the experience in a short film for Channel 4 campaign Stand Up To Cancer, Lineker, 57, revealed he and ex-wife Michelle Cockayne were warned their son might not survive.
He said: “Those were traumatic.
“There were at least two occasions when we were sat down and told that the chances of him making it through the night were slim.
“I used to have this recurring nightmare of carrying this small white coffin. And waking up in cold sweats every time I had it.
“Thankfully I never had to live that scenario.”
George received treatment in time and eventually made a full recovery.
He said the couple lived “by the minute” as they watched their young son “pumped full of drugs”.
But Lineker added: “There are other parents in the hospital with circumstances very similar to our first few days own whose children didn’t make it – and didn’t make it whilst we were there.
“How anyone can deal with that, I don’t know.”
George, one of four brothers, finished the film by telling viewers he knows how lucky he is to have survived.
The Stand Up To Cancer campaign, first launched in 2012, returns to Channel 4 this week raising money for Cancer Research UK via a host of celebrity challenges, fund-raising events and special films.
Viewers took to Twitter to praise the Match Of The Day presenter for detailing his experience.
One wrote: “Beautiful piece from Gary Lineker and son George on Channel 4. Huge respect and inspiration for those facing up to cancer.”
Another viewer wrote: “Extremely moving film about George. One of the few things that has brought tears to my eyes.”
Another added: “Gary Lineker thank you for sharing your Stand Up To Cancer story... 1 in 2 of us will be affected by cancer. The numbers are appalling. Your story gives people hope.”
One person added: “Gary Lineker, powerful Stand Up To Cancer ad. Respect to you and everyone gone, or going through this.”