Gary Lineker's allies compare speculation he could be ousted from Match of the Day to a failed coup. BBC insiders say flagship football show must evolve as contract talks continue
A leaked email suggested the broadcaster was drawing up a statement announcing his departure, amid claims the new head of Sport was backing moves to shake up the presenter line-up.extending his 25-year tenureIf fans sensed an air of nothing-to-see-here, and that perhaps more was going on behind the scenes, they might be right.
“The change of Government makes it easier for the BBC to move on from Gary,” a former senior executive said. “Previously, it would have been seen as a move caving in to Conservative pressure over his social media tweets but that won’t be the case under Labour.” “The BBC is talking to a range of figures about contracts and as always there’s a bit of a dance going on,” one BBC figure said.
While the debate over his future swirls, Goalhanger has become the UK’s largest independent podcast producer. It is now expanding into live events, with a stage presentation ofhit show, presented by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, last week playing to a sell-out crowd of 13,000 fans at the O2 Arena.
During last summer’s European Championships, Lineker called England’s 1-1 draw against Denmark “shit”, a remark which annoyed captain Harry Kane and threatened the BBC’s relationship with the England team.“It’s odd that the BBC is paying Lineker to be the face of football but he’s giving his most controversial opinions elsewhere,” said the former BBC executive.
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