Gary Lineker is on the brink of leaving the BBC earlier than planned amid further controversy surrounding his social media activity, according to reports. The veteran presenter’s contract, which would continue his relationship with the broadcaster beyond this season’s Match of the Day, could be ripped up over his refusal to rein in his online antics.
According to The i Paper, the BBC is weighing up ending Lineker’s deal prematurely over a post about Zionism, which was considered an antisemitic slur. The 64-year-old took to his Instagram story to share a pro-Palestine video featuring a rat emoji before deleting it, sparking backlash. Rats are linked with themes of disease and have been used to represent Jews in antisemitic propaganda, including by the Nazis.
Lineker’s agent insists he was unaware of the rat connotations, which were expected to have left the BBC in a difficult position when finding “cause” for summary dismissal.
However, the former England international’s 26-year partnership with the Beeb now appears at the end of its tether.
Lineker is the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, reportedly pocketing around £1.35million a year, and is currently scheduled to host the FA Cup Final on Saturday.
He is also due to present his final Match of the Day at the end of the Premier League season next Sunday.
And, after penning a one-year contract extension, Lineker has an agreement to work FA Cup games and next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Those plans have exploded into uncertainty, though, and Lineker is said to have angered his BBC colleagues with his continued use of social media.
He was briefly forced off the air in 2023 after publicly blasting the Tory government’s immigration policy, and the latest incident looks to have made his position untenable.
The report adds that although Lineker strongly apologised after deleting the pro-Palestine post, there is a belief that it was an attempt to save his job.
He said: “On Instagram, I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic.”
Jewish groups are calling for him to be sacked, though, and it’s claimed that Jewish staff at the BBC have described Lineker’s actions as “disgusting”.
BBC boss Tim Davie has repeated that all of the broadcaster’s employees must follow its impartiality rules.
And while Lineker and the BBC have recovered from thin ice previously, there is a growing feeling that an early parting of ways is inevitable.
