Gary Lineker rules out BBC return as podcast takes to live stage
Gary Lineker says he will not return to the BBC as his podcast network prepares for a live stage takeover.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Gary Lineker has said he will not return to the BBC, as he prepares to take his podcast network to a live stage at the Royal Festival Hall. The former Match of the Day host left the corporation last May after 26 years, following a series of outspoken social media posts. In an interview, he said there was no bitterness over his departure, but he insisted he was right to speak his mind.
Lineker now co-owns Goalhanger, the podcast company behind The Rest Is Football, The Rest Is Politics and The Rest Is History. The company has been named the fastest growing private company in the UK and has a Netflix deal that brought The Rest Is Football to TV screens during the World Cup. This weekend, his roster of shows will take over the Royal Festival Hall for live performances, an unprecedented move.
On the BBC, Lineker said: "I don't think so. I wouldn't go back, no." He also joined other high earners in writing to the government to say he would be happy to pay more tax. "I think we'd all happily pay more," he said.
He also waded into the controversy surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino, calling his position "pretty untenable" and saying he had "gone rogue". He joked that a day could come when the World Cup is broadcast on The Rest Is Football.
The live shows mark a new chapter for Lineker, who said the podcasting venture had given him more satisfaction than anything except scoring goals.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| A Netflix deal brings The Rest Is Football to TV screens for a further two years. | |
| Gary Lineker left the BBC after 26 years in May of the previous year. | |
| Goalhanger was named the fastest growing private company in the UK. | |
| Lineker called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign. | |
| Lineker said he would be happy to pay more tax. | |
| Lineker said he would never go back to the BBC. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This segment focuses on Lineker's transition from broadcasting to podcasting, framing his new venture as a successful pivot. It includes his comments on the BBC, tax, and FIFA, and highlights the live stage event at the Royal Festival Hall as a significant milestone.
- “I don't think so. I wouldn't go back, no.”
- “I think his position is pretty untenable.”
- “I think we'd all happily pay more”
This report emphasises Lineker's dramatic career change from footballer to media mogul, and his contentment with the new direction. It covers the same interview, with particular attention to his views on FIFA and his refusal to return to the BBC, while also noting the Netflix deal.
- “I don't think so. I wouldn't go back, no.”
- “I think his position is pretty untenable.”
- “I think we'd all happily pay more”
This shorter segment leads with Lineker's controversial comments on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, then notes his willingness to pay more tax and his refusal to return to the BBC. It gives less detail on the live stage event, focusing instead on his outspoken views.
- “I think his position's pretty untenable.”
- “Personally, what he did, he's kind of, he went rogue.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.