Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker did not give any presenting tips to his successors after he was sacked from the BBC.
The 64-year-old left the corporation after sharing a pro-Palestine Instagram video featuring a rat emoji, with critics accusing him of promoting a well-known anti-Semitic slur.
He later apologised, but the post was the latest in a string of social media controversies over his views on the Gaza conflict.
The row brought his £1.4million BBC deal to an end, and he has since reportedly signed a lucrative contract with ITV to front a new celebrity game show.
In his place, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates will share hosting duties on the flagship football programme for the new Premier League season, with only one of the trio fronting each week’s show.
Chapman has now revealed what Lineker told him since being sacked by the BBC.
The former presenter reportedly told Chapman that in an interview, he was asked if he had given us any tips.
Chapman described his conversation with Lineker, telling RadioTimes: ‘And he (Lineker) said, “Why? What? What on earth would I be doing phoning you three up to offer you tips? Why would I be deemed to be that arrogant to do that?”
+6
View gallery
Gary Lineker left the BBC after sharing a pro-Palestine Instagram video featuring a rat emoji
+6
View gallery
In his place, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates will share hosting duties on the flagship football programme
‘Experience-wise, we’ve all been doing it for a long time…’
The Daily Mail approached Gary Lineker and the BBC for comment.
According to the Telegraph, Chapman will host the show and be joined by pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.
Cates, meanwhile, is scheduled to host the BBC’s coverage of European football next week.
The new presenters have pledged to steer clear of controversial social media posts in line with the BBC’s impartiality rules, a marked contrast to Lineker’s approach.
The 64-year-old presenter was visibly moved by a seven-minute tribute featuring the likes of Pep Guardiola, Virgil van Dijk, Ian Wright, and even Andrea Bocelli.
He hosted his final show in May and hinted at the start that it ‘wasn’t meant to end this way’ after being axed.
The antisemitism row was understood to have been the final straw for BBC bosses after years of outspoken political commentary, from attacking government immigration policy to likening official rhetoric to 1930s Germany.
+6
View gallery
He shared a now-deleted reel on Instagram which originated with pro-Palestine group Palestine Lobby and featured an image of a rat
+6
View gallery
Among the Nazis’ depictions of Jewish people as rats was this poster produced by Adolf Hitler’s regime during their 1940s occupation of Denmark
+6
View gallery
The long-standing sports presenter has been at the helm of Match of the Day for 25 seasons but was due to step down at the end of this season even prior to this latest controversy
In an interview with The New World, he was asked if his departure was his own decision or a case of being pushed, and he replied: ‘the latter’.
In 2023, he branded the Illegal Migration Bill ‘immeasurably cruel’ when sharing a video of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
His comments caused a backlash from politicians, and he was temporarily removed from his presenting duties due to the breach of impartiality guidelines
But a boycott by fellow pundits and commentators forced the BBC to reinstate him, but this latest controversy saw him finally removed from his role on Match of the Day.
Lineker was a vocal opponent of Brexit and in 2018 backed the campaign for another EU referendum, saying it felt like it was ‘going very wrong indeed’.
As well as criticising Brexit, Lineker bemoaned ‘the absolute state of our politics’, adding: ‘Imagine how hopeless you’d have to be to still be behind the Tory party in the polls.’
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew hit back, accusing Lineker of breaking editorial guidelines.
He posted on X: ‘Gary. You are the face of BBC Sport. Please observe BBC editorial guidelines and keep your political views, whatever they are and whatever the subject, to yourself. I’d be sacked if I followed your example. Thanks.’
Lineker replied: ‘Jonathan, I’m the face of my own Twitter account. I’ll continue to tweet what I like and if folk disagree with me then so be it.’
News
“I COULD NEVER BE A MOTHER” — BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood Makes Heartbreaking Admission as Doctors Reveal the Reason She Will Never Have Children
Carol Kirkwood with Rufus the hawk at Wimbledon© Evening Standard via Getty Images BBC Breakfast’s beloved weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has opened up…
SHE DOESN’T DESERVE TO BE A MOTHER: ‘I Was Shannon Matthews’ Mum Karen’s Neighbor, and One Sh0cking Act of Hers Once Left Me H0rrified
When Karen Matthews reported her nine-year-old Shannon Matthews missing after failing to return home after a swimming lesson, her neighbour…
BREAKING NEWS: BBC Chiefs Finally Explain Why Ozzy Osbourne Documentary Was Pulled — Heated Backstage Row with Sharon Revealed
Ozzy Osbourne had been filming his return back to the UK after dreaming of making his comeback for years on…
“Was That Supposed To Be Smart?” — Lisa Kudrow’s Cutting Sat:ire of Karoline Leavitt Sparks Internet Frenzy
Lisa Kudrow, the beloved Friends star known for her impeccable comedic timing, has sent social media into a frenzy with…
“I’m Not Here to Be Liked, I’m Here to Tell the Truth”: Tyrus’ Explosive Outburst on The View Shakes the Nation
For weeks, Tyrus had endured the silent treatment on The View. Every pointed glance, every scripted jab, every subtle snub…
Sh0cking Take on NFL’s Male Cheerleaders—Fox News Host Puts Pressure on Pete Hegseth to Act
Fox News‘ Will Cain has called for his former co-host and current U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to weigh in on…
End of content
No more pages to load