Gary Lineker leaves home ahead of his BBC return today
Gary Lineker was photographed leaving his South London home today before making his long-awaited return to TV this afternoon.
The broadcaster returns to our screens at 5.25pm today to present the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
It is his first appearance since being told to step down as host of Match Of The Day (MOTD) in a row for impartiality.
Lineker, 62, was taken off the air last week for a tweet comparing the language used to launch the government’s new illegal migration law to 1930s Germany.
The BBC then made a humiliating U-turn, even apologizing to the former footballer and vowing to review social media guidelines.
Gary Lineker was photographed leaving his South London home today before making his long-awaited return to TV this afternoon
The broadcaster returns to our screens at 5.25pm today to present the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium
Lineker’s tweet that started the whole saga that led to staff cuts at the BBC following the company’s decision to take the MOTD host off the air
Lineker was photographed this morning leaving his South London home dressed in a dark suit with a charcoal gray shirt, jacket and bag in hand, before getting into a car.
Asked by LaLiga Sports TV last night how his week was, the former England striker said: ‘Really quiet. Not much going on. You could say it’s been an interesting week, but I’m still here, still boxing.
“It was interesting and also hugely satisfying, I had incredible support from my friends and colleagues, which was actually really nice.
“It was totally disproportionate, but we’re fine. It’s solved, I’m relieved, I’m going back to work tomorrow and all is well with the world.’
He will present live BBC coverage, with analysis from Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, on Saturday afternoon, while Mark Chapman will present the Match Of The Day highlights show later on Saturday evening.
Many of Lineker’s BBC Sport colleagues walked out in ‘solidarity’ last weekend, with highlights that were considerably shorter than usual and broadcast without presentation or commentary.
MOTD aired just 20 minutes last Saturday with no accompanying commentary or analysis from presenters, while Sunday’s edition followed a similar format, running just 15 minutes.
BBC director-general Tim Davie said in a statement that the company has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines, particularly for freelancers.
Mr Davie apologized for what he admitted had been ‘a difficult period for the staff, employees, presenters and most importantly our audience’ and described the BBC’s commitment to freedom of expression and impartiality as a ‘tough balancing act’.
He added: ‘The potential confusion caused by the gray areas of the BBC’s social media guidelines introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want things resolved and our sports content back on the air.”
Lineker was photographed this morning leaving his South London home dressed in a dark suit with a charcoal gray shirt, jacket and bag in hand, before getting into a car
It is his first appearance since being told to step down as host of Match Of The Day (MOTD) in a row for impartiality
Lineker, 62, was taken off the air last week for a tweet comparing the language used to launch the government’s new illegal migration law to 1930s Germany
It comes as protesters wore masks of Lineker’s face at a pro-refugee march in Glasgow this morning
After the official BBC statement was published, Lineker tweeted that he was “delighted” to have navigated his way through the queue after a “surreal few days”.
He added: ‘I’ve been presenting sport on the BBC for almost three decades and am immensely proud to be working with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I can’t wait to get back into the MOTD chair on Saturday.”
It comes as protesters wore masks of Lineker’s face at a pro-refugee march in Glasgow this morning.
Crowds descended on the Scottish town with signs reading ‘refugees welcome’ and ‘stop Rwanda’, a reference to Suella Braverman’s policy of deporting people who arrive in the UK illegally to the African country in small boats.
The interior minister doubled down on controversial policies today by making her first visit to Rwanda since taking up the cabinet role.
Ms Braverman said the plan “will act as a powerful deterrent to dangerous and illegal travel”.
The minister also hit back at critics of the deal, saying Rwanda could hold “many thousands” of migrants, though none have yet been relocated.
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