Gary Lineker takes swipe at BBC during ITV World Cup coverage
Gary Lineker stirred headlines on Saturday evening as he made a guest appearance on ITV’s World Cup coverage ahead of the Germany versus Ivory Coast match. The former BBC presenter, who left the corporation in May 2025 after 26 years, seized the opportunity to make a humorous dig at his old employers, reports BritPanorama.
As the broadcast commenced, Lineker quipped, “Thank you very much for joining us on ITV for this one. Another day, another game, another channel.” His remarks prompted a playful interjection from presenter Laura Woods, who responded, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Gary, that’s my job!”
Lineker expressed his admiration for ITV’s Manhattan skyline backdrop, describing it as “absolutely amazing” and affirming, “it is real.” This comment highlighted a stark contrast to the BBC’s base in Salford, which has been criticized for lacking the same level of location-based engagement.
The banter continued during their joint appearance on the Netflix show, The Rest Is Football. Micah Richards, teaming up with Lineker, impersonated him by stating, “Hello and welcome to the Rest Is Football with me, Micah Richards,” to which Lineker instantly retorted, “Woah, woah, woah, woah. Micah that’s my job.”
Richards jokingly labeled Lineker an “absolute traitor” for moving to a rival network but Lineker’s comeback was sharp: “Hang on a minute Micah. Shut the f*** up,” before turning off Richards’ screen. When pressed for clarity by Richards regarding his ITV appearance, Lineker explained that he was promoting his show “The Box,” scheduled to debut on ITV in September, and added that he was keen to check out the studio and promote their Netflix collaboration, receiving two mentions.
Despite Lineker’s insistence that his appearance was purely professional, Richards remained skeptical, playfully challenging his former colleague’s narrative. “Professional reasons? Come on Gaz. You’re better than that,” he shot back, but Lineker was prepared, quipping, “Says the person that works for pretty much every television channel known to man.” Ultimately, Richards conceded defeat, humorously raising his hands.
The friendly rivalry marked a lively exchange, with Lineker even documenting a behind-the-scenes moment where he enjoyed a head massage at ITV, referencing, “You don’t get this at the BBC.”
As both presenters continue to engage in light-hearted banter, it’s a reminder of the complicated yet entertaining intersections between media and sport, where personal rivalries add an intriguing layer to professional dynamics. With Lineker’s effortless charm and Richards’ quick wit, their interaction reflects not just their camaraderie but the evolving nature of sports broadcasting in the current media landscape.
