Lineker Set For ITV Move After BBC Antisemitism Row

Well, well, well. After quitting the Beeb amid an antisemitism storm, it transpires that Gary Lineker has been picked up by none other than rival broadcaster ITV. The left-wing right-back will reportedly present a new Saturday night show called The Box, which will see a group of people, possibly celebrities, undergo a series of challenges while stuck inside – you guessed it – a box. Less room for controversial political commentary in that one, Mr S presumes…

Lineker’s move comes after the sports pundit came under fire for shared a social-media post featuring an ‘anti-Semitic’ rat emoji and declared that Israel’s response to the October 7 terrorist attacks was ‘beyond depraved’. Lineker – the Corporation’s highest-paid ‘star’ – had been due to host the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup but was forced to end his contract early over the controversy. Actions have consequences…

ITV will have a tough time balancing the books if they attempt to match Lineker’s £1.3 million-a-year salary. The fallout for the ex-football is more than reputational: as one of the Beeb’s highest-paid stars, Lineker is thought to have lost out on an estimated £800,000 in BBC pay as a result of his early departure. Talk about an own goal!

Spectator.co.uk