Gary Lineker takes a swipe at the BBC during ITV appearance
Gary Lineker, in a guest role on ITV’s coverage of the World Cup match between Germany and the Ivory Coast, made comments that appeared to target the BBC over its choice of broadcasting location. He remarked that the ITV backdrop “is real,” a clear nod to the BBC’s studio setup in Salford, reports BritPanorama.
Lineker, 65, previously a prominent face on BBC’s Match of the Day for 26 years, was greeted warmly by ITV host Laura Woods and other panelists, including Duncan Ferguson, Gary Neville, and Ian Wright. His comments came as he highlighted the appeal of ITV’s live set, contrasting it with the BBC’s more static presentation.
During the broadcast, Lineker expressed enthusiasm for visiting the ITV studio in New York City. “I did desperately want to come and see your set because I think it is absolutely amazing, and I can confirm that it’s real,” he said. Previously, Lineker had publicly critiqued the BBC’s choice to maintain its studio in Salford, describing it as a “green box.”
Lineker reiterated that he bore no regrets for his absence from the BBC’s World Cup coverage, citing his relocation to New York, where he hosts a daily programme for Netflix. He noted, “I was originally going to do it for the BBC this summer, but that didn’t transpire. And I would have been in Salford in a green box.”
BBC host Gabby Logan acknowledged the financial constraints that influence such choices, explaining, “The belt is being tightened all the time… that’s a very expensive cost to take out a lot of people to major tournaments.” She highlighted that previous tournaments were successfully covered despite the limitations on location.
Lineker’s BBC career ended abruptly in May 2025 amid scrutiny over his social media activity, which included an incident involving an Instagram post that drew allegations of antisemitism. Ultimately, he secured a deal with Netflix for a reported £14 million to present The Rest Is Football podcast, concluding his long association with the public broadcaster.
In a landscape where broadcasting choices can stir public sentiment, Lineker’s candid remarks highlight underlying tensions in sports media, where the backdrop can be as significant as the match itself.
