Gary Lineker admits he was SACKED from BBC after sharing pro-Gaza video likening supporters of Israel to rats
The former Match of the Day presenter, 64, sparked fury after he shared a pro-Gaza video that likened supporters of Israel to rats, for which he later apologised.
4
The post, shared by Gary in May, included an illustration of a rat — historically used as an antisemitic slur.
Just days later, the former Leicester City, Barcelona and England striker announced his departure from the broadcaster after 26 years.
He made his final appearance on the Beeb's flagship football show in May to present coverage of the end of the Premier League season.
It was initially believed that he had quit the show, but opening up to The New World today, he revealed that he was fired by BBC bosses.
When asked during an interview if he had quit or if he was sacked, he admitted: "The latter."
Last November, Lineker announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day.
The footballing icon was set to continue hosting certain events, such as the next year's World Cup and FA Cup coverage.
But he went on to say that he had "missed" the rat emoji in the post that ultimately spelled the end of his career at the broadcaster.
He continued: 'I missed it [the rat emoji]. I genuinely didn't see it.
"I'm not an idiot. I may not have known it was an antisemitic trope, but I would have wondered why someone had put a rat there.
"I wouldn't do that on purpose - it would be the biggest act of self-harm ever. It was a tough couple of days.
'People talked about me being antisemitic. I'm not anti-any group of people. Any race, any colour. But I am anti the killing of children.
"I made a mistake and I immediately took it down and apologised, which I thought should have been enough.'
The rat accompanied footage of a Canadian-Palestinian lawyer attacking the war in Gaza with the caption "Zionism explained in two minutes".
Speaking on his exit at the time, Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said Lineker had "acknowledged his mistake".
He added: "Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.
"Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.
"His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond.
"We want to thank him for the contribution he has made."
Last month, The Sun revealed that Beeb chiefs delivered a final snub to Lineker by axing his last interview without warning.
He was due to talk to Liverpool goal hero Mo Salah, but there were fears the host would say something controversial about Gaza.
A source said the plug was pulled by director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who got the job last summer.
And there was 'no love lost' between Lineker and Kay-Jelski — with the ex-England hero allegedly giving him the cold shoulder at the FA Cup final.
An insider said: 'The plan was for the interview to be shown across the BBC the weekend of Gary's final Match Of The Day.
4
'That would include on Football Focus the day before as well as online and on social media.
'Out of nowhere, it got cancelled. Some people think they didn't want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza.
'Salah has spoken out in his support for Palestinians living in Gaza and Gary has made his feelings clear too.
"It felt like it may have come up naturally in conversation.
'It seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues.
"They'd only just overcome one storm so to face another would have been a nightmare.'
His final years as MOTD host have been marred by his outspoken views and fallouts with bosses.
In March 2023, Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government's new asylum policy.
He was also among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC, to re-broadcast a documentary Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, to BBC iPlayer.
He is now likely to focus on his successful Goalhanger Podcasts business.
4
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
23 minutes ago
- Metro
Mathew Horne fights back tears over sudden death of Gavin and Stacey colleague
Mathew Horne fought back tears while telling crowds he'd just been told a crew member from Gavin and Stacey had died. The actor, 46, starred as Gavin Shipman in the BBC comedy alongside Joanna Page, James Corden, and Ruth Jones since it began in 2007 until its final episode on Christmas Day 2024. He was being interviewed on stage for an In Conversation With session in Taunton, Somerset, when he suddenly became emotional and told the audience he'd only just received the news when it had been shared on the cast WhatsApp group. Horne said, via The Sun: 'Sorry. I got distracted. Earlier on… we had a driver on the finale called Rob and he was in his early 40s… and I found out via the Whatsapp group earlier that he has passed away and I got slightly distracted there. 'It's really, really sad. I got distracted by losing Rob. 'He was a really lovely guy and he's left a four-year-old behind and that is really, really, really sad.' Horne also shared how close the cast had become since bonding 'like a family' over the last 18 years. For the main actors, their lives changed beyond recognition and the show became one of the most popular British comedies of all time. He explained: 'In 2019, before the Christmas special – part one of the finale if you like – aired, I lost my mother and Alison really stepped up and she became my surrogate mother off screen as well. 'Whenever she texts me even now she signs it 'Mum'. And that is cool. That is so beautiful. And she says, 'How are you, my little prince?' It means the world to me.' Gavin and Stacey ended on Christmas Day, 2024, with a feature-length episode that attracted a staggering 19.1million viewers. Fans waited five years to find out if Smithy accepted Nessa's proposal to quickly discover he was getting married – but not to her. Instead, the episode followed Smithy gearing up to marry Sonia – his insufferable girlfriend who his friends and family couldn't stand. Thankfully, fans got their happy ending, Smithy jilted Sonia at the aisle and raced across the country to find Nessa and get down on one knee. There has, however, been talk of potential spin-offs with other characters such as Dawn and Pete, played by Julia Davis and Adrian Scarborough respectively, keeping the spirit of Gavin and Stacey alive. View More » Gavin and Stacey is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Gavin and Stacey's Larry Lamb, 77, retires from acting – and final show already aired
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Lindsay Lohan and Kris Jenner's make-up artist reveals the exact anti-ageing make-up she uses to 'reverse lines and creases' - and it's only £20
They regularly stun on the red carpet with their flawless make-up looks. And now Lindsay Lohan and Kris Jenner 's make-up artist has revealed that the key to their jaw-dropping complexions is an 'industry secret' product. When it comes to covering up tired eyes and lines, many women's go-to is the trusty concealer, however, the perfect Hollywood look is often ruined when the product begins to crease. But Ash K Holm, the beauty expert for stars including Lindsay, Kris and Kris' daughter Khloe Kardashian, has now disclosed a hack for reversing lines and creases - and you can get it at your local high street health and beauty retailer. In a new video, Ash promoted the ROC Revive + Glow Eye Balm, revealing how it's an 'industry secret' that makes it possible to 'fix your creased concealer without redoing your makeup.' Speaking on a clip on her Instagram, Ash remarked: 'All you need to do is apply a small amount right underneath the eye or wherever your concealer is creasing. It doesn't matter what kind of concealer you've used but this is a fix-it stick, is what I like to call it.' And if the miracle make-up product is good enough for the likes of Lindsay, Kris and Khloe, then it's certainly good enough for you! We've found the exact product and some similar alternatives... EXACT MATCH: ROC Revive + Glow Eye Balm £22.10 Shop
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Controversial BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty could face investigation after string of complaints relating to her 'hard' and 'bullying' tone following claims she fostered 'toxic' work atmosphere
Presenter Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show. 'Following the amount of people who have come forward to share their experiences with Naga, the BBC has officially moved to place the complaints under review. 'The review is to ascertain whether a full-on investigation is required and that could come in weeks', the source told The Sun. Daily Mail has approached BBC and Munchetty's representatives for comment. It comes after Munchetty was spoken to by execs after a junior staffer accused the journalist of bullying them. She was also reportedly hauled into a meeting after she made a sex jibe during an ad break while hosting her radio show. She is believed to have used a crude slang term for a sec act and reportedly asled a colleague if they had ever done it. It was also reported last month that Munchetty was planning on quitting BBC Breakfast after she was accused of bullying. Her own conduct was thrown into doubt when BBC Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani reportedly took an extended period of leave, after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show. Amid the fallout, Munchetty's agents have reportedly 'held talks with rival station LBC' to explore opportunities for the highly-respected journalist. A source told The Sun: 'The fallout of Richard Frediani's investigation created a stark 'him or her' narrative on Breakfast with Naga flung to the front line. 'The fact is she loves the BBC and her job but there's only so much external noise anyone is prepared to take. LBC would suit her well as the focus remains on news-led broadcasting, they take a hard line and there's far less of the fluffy nonsense involved in working at the BBC. 'Her team last week renewed historic talks with the Global radio station to see if there could be any work for her there.' New figures released by the BBC last month revealed the presenter was awarded a £10,000 increase in her annual salary. It now takes her pay packet to an eye-watering £355,000 - almost double that of her co-host Charlie Stayt. Stayt, 63, has remained in the £190,000 bracket as tensions between the pair are said to be 'rife'. Munchetty hosts BBC Breakfast on Thursdays to Saturdays with Charlie, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent anchor the programme from the start of the week. Today, BBC Breakfast was branded a 'clown show' by fans after a 'car crash' interview left viewers cringing. Munchetty and Stayt presented Friday's instalment of the daytime news show. Crime novelist Lynda La Plante was discussing her latest book release The Scene Of The Crime. Having researched forensics for her novels, Lynda explained animatedly: 'If you have blood spattering, you could get an expert that deals only with that, and they could walk in and see pooling, splattering-' But she was interrupted by Munchetty, who quickly warned her: 'Careful! It's breakfast.' Good-natured Lynda seemed unfazed, and laughed: 'Sorry!' but it wasn't long before Munchetty delivered another blunder, forgetting the name of the hit crime series inspired by Lynda's most famous book. 'In the book, when you have the forensic expert come in who runs the team and has this history, there is a little bit of discomfort in terms of how the team responds,' Naga begins. 'When you were writing for, erm… Oh my goodness, how have I just…' Co-host Charlie then chimes in with the correct name: 'Prime Suspect,' and Naga says, relieved: 'Prime Suspect - thank you.' Still undeterred, Lynda continues with the inspiration behind her book, saying: 'What I loved in The Scene Of The Crime is he's not dead - he's alive! The victim is alive!' But Munchetty scrambles to prevent Lynda from revealing the central surprise, speaking over her to say: 'Don't spoil it! Don't spoil it, don't spoil it because there are, as usual, many twists.' Frantically segueing into another line of enquiry, Munchetty asks awkwardly: 'Do you ever - I avoid, often, crime and murder novels because I get squeamish.' 'But this isn't too much for me. I can only speak for myself. Do you ever think there's a limit? You wouldn't go too far in terms of description and squeamishness?' 'A limit of the horror?' clarified Lynda, before answering: 'I think there is my own limit. 'We can give a name to virtually every reason for a crime, you can say they had a horrible background, an abused child, or psychological problems, but there is no-one that can ever say "This is what made evil". We haven't got it. Charlie then asked Lynda: 'We're almost out of time. Do you think you would have made a good detective yourself?' But Lynda insisted she would be 'dreadful', adding: 'I talk too much and I think I'd get awfully upset.' Fans of the show weren't impressed, and rushed to social media to express their disapproval. One wrote: 'Never, ever let Charlie ad-lib. F***ing disaster every single time.'
