Inside Gary Lineker's world away from BBC together with love life and new job
Gary Lineker was sacked by the BBC earlier this 12 months after a controversial social media put up, however the Match of the Day icon has saved himself busy with a variety of recent tasks
View 5 PhotosAs soccer followers settled in for this week's worldwide matches, one well-known face was conspicuously lacking from the telly: Gary Lineker. On Thursday, England convincingly beat Wales 3-0 in a pleasant at Wembley, due to objectives from Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.
For greater than 20 years, Lineker was a staple of protection of England matches within the UK, however that period has ended following his high-profile exit from the BBC earlier this 12 months. His sudden departure passed off in Might after controversy erupted over a social media put up in regards to the ongoing Center East battle.
The put up, which criticised Israel's actions, contained an antisemitic trope – a rat emoji – prompting intense backlash on-line. Lineker later apologised, saying he hadn't noticed the emoji and emphasised that he would by no means intentionally share something antisemitic. Nonetheless, the BBC ended his long-running contract.
Initially, he was anticipated to stick with the company till 2026, even after stepping down from Match of the Day on the finish of the 2024/25 season. However executives selected to chop ties sooner than deliberate, with the incident seen because the breaking level after a string of earlier controversies.
All through his BBC profession, Lineker typically discovered himself at odds with administration as a result of his outspoken political commentary. Essentially the most memorable conflict got here in 2023, when he was suspended for likening the UK authorities's immigration stance to that of "Nineteen Thirties Germany." His unwillingness to stay politically neutral, regardless of his contractual obligations, finally rendered his place unsustainable.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker apologises as two Chelsea choices questioned – 'Shouldn't spout rumours'READ MORE: Gary Lineker set to return as soccer host as a part of new present after BBC axe
Since leaving the broadcaster, Lineker has embraced a brand new part of his skilled life, with new tasks holding him firmly within the public highlight. Right here's a take a look at how the 64-year-old has reinvented himself since his BBC departure.
Podcasting
One among Lineker's main ventures is Goalhanger Podcasts, which he co-founded. The rising media firm produces massively profitable reveals corresponding to The Relaxation Is Soccer (the place he options alongside co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards), The Relaxation Is Historical past, The Relaxation Is Politics, and The Relaxation Is Leisure.
The enterprise posted a formidable £1.4million revenue final 12 months. Based in 2019, Goalhanger's programmes have constantly dominated podcast charts, drawing in huge international audiences. The corporate reported that its 13 flagship titles reached greater than 400m audio downloads and 85m YouTube views in 2024.
View 5 PhotosA serious improvement got here in June when The Relaxation Is Soccer signed a partnership with streaming service DAZN, granting permission to incorporate official match highlights – together with footage from the FIFA Membership World Cup – inside episodes. This deal elevated the podcast from purely audio to a wealthy multimedia format, positioning it as a contemporary successor to TV spotlight reveals.
Goalhanger's co-founder Tony Pastor emphasised the present's rising worldwide attain, noting it's no longer solely listened to but additionally watched worldwide. The DAZN settlement marks Lineker's clean evolution into digital broadcasting, free from the editorial restrictions that got here with public-service tv.
ITV present
Lineker hasn't fully left tv behind. In August, he signed a high-profile take care of ITV to host The Field, a celeb competitors collection described as a mix of I'm a Superstar… Get Me Out of Right here! and SAS: Who Dares Wins.
This can be his first TV challenge since Match of the Day, with manufacturing scheduled to start out later in 2025 and the present anticipated to air in 2026. The format will characteristic celebrities taking over intense challenges – and one episode can have a football-inspired twist, linking again to Lineker's roots.
Based on The Solar, two groups will characteristic native gamers led by celeb captains, and Lineker's position as presenter will anchor the present. An insider revealed: "Given Gary's affiliation with the game, the percentages of a football-related job that includes on the collection was at all times going to be excessive.
View 5 Photos"The enjoying customary isn't fairly what he's used to however having Gary's enter will deliver a way of credibility to the printed. He's loved filming the challenges up to now and this one isn’t any totally different, nevertheless it's way more in his consolation zone."
There has additionally been hypothesis that Lineker may return to soccer protection throughout ITV's World Cup broadcasts, although nothing official has been confirmed.
Public presence and up to date accolade
As ever, Lineker continues to be outspoken on-line, usually participating in debates about politics and international affairs. His BBC departure hasn't softened his tone – if something, it has emboldened him.
Regardless of the encircling controversies, Lineker not too long ago received the Greatest TV Presenter award on the Nationwide Tv Awards (NTAs), breaking Ant and Dec's unimaginable 23-year streak.
In his acceptance speech, he shared: "I'm doing nice. I'm having fun with having weekends off for the primary time in my grownup life, which has been nice enjoyable.
View 5 Photos"I'm nonetheless watching a great deal of soccer, nonetheless doing the identical form of issues, and I've received a brand new present developing for ITV, which I begin filming subsequent week – The Field, which works out, I feel, in all probability subsequent 12 months."
Courting and relationships
On a private degree, Lineker has been candid about his strategy to relationships lately, embracing a content material single life. Again in 2021, he admitted he "can't be a***d" with courting anymore, citing a scarcity of want to pursue romance.
"I final went on a date a couple of months in the past. Each on occasion you would possibly meet somebody… however I've at all times discovered it fairly troublesome," he informed The Solar. "Often I’ve a date, however then I'll go and make it clear I'm not . So I really feel unhealthy. I don't wish to lead anybody up the backyard path.
"It sounds egocentric, however I'm actually comfortable by myself. I've received good associates, I've received my children, I like cooking, and I simply don't need any extra sleeping with somebody once more."
View 5 PhotosLineker continued: "Once you get a bit older, that urge fades, your testosterone ranges drop. It's simply not that essential. I just like the enjoyable of flirting, happening dates, kissing and cooking for somebody, however that's about so far as I wish to take it.
"I'm undecided I'm asexual as such – irrespective of how outdated you might be, a phenomenal girl is a phenomenal girl – however I simply genuinely can't be arsed now."
Beforehand, he informed The Instances: "It's a silly and horrible factor to say in a method, however I'm not massively into intercourse. I fairly like flirting a bit of bit. Now that's all I do. However then after that… that is actually being trustworthy: It's like exhausting work… so I've hardly had any dates."
Lineker has been married twice. His first marriage, to Michelle Cockayne – the mom of his kids – lasted three many years, starting in 1986 on the peak of his enjoying profession and ending in 2006. His second marriage, to Danielle Bux, ran from 2009 to 2016.
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