Gary Lineker agrees deal with new broadcaster after controversial BBC exit
Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has agreed a deal with a new broadcaster after his controversial exit from the BBC last month.
Lineker was set to cover the 2025-26 FA Cup and 2026 World Cup for the BBC but he left early over his use of an alleged anti-Semitic rat emoji.
He shared a social media post about Zionism that included an emoji of a rat – with images of the rodent historically used as an anti-Semitic insult.
Lineker insisted he did not see the rat emoji when he shared the post and said he 'would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic'.
The former footballer, who played for the likes of Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham, apologised for any offence he may've caused.
'I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am,' Lineker, who has been a vocal critic of Israel's Government, said. 'Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.'
After leaving the BBC, Lineker has now moved his popular The Rest is Football podcast to DAZN.
Lineker is a co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, which produces a number of shows including The Rest is Football , which he presents himself along with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Across 13 shows, Goalhanger Podcasts collectively receives over 40 million downloads per month, with The Rest Is Politics also notably successful.
Gary Lineker's first venture on Match of the Day was as an analyst.
Lineker stepped up to become the main presenter in 1999, replacing Des Lynam.
Lineker has remained the host of the show ever since, with his 25-year reign making him the longest presenter in Match of the Day's history.
Lineker's time wasn't without controversy: in March 2023 he stepped back from presenting following his criticism of the UK Government's immigration policy. His colleagues walked out in solidarity.
Tony Pastor, the co-founder of Lineker's Goalhanger podcast empire, said: 'The Rest Is Football isn't just being listened to – it's being watched, shared, and talked about across Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, X, and Instagram.
'Partnering with DAZN to bring official match clips into the mix is the natural next step – adding energy, context, and taking the conversation to the next level.
'With over six million episode views and listens each month, and huge engagement across social, it's already the UK's most popular sports podcast.
'As the way fans experience football evolves, The Rest Is Football is right at the heart of it.'
DAZN has the broadcast rights for this summer's Club World Cup, with all 63 matches to be shown globally for free. More Trending
Pete Oliver, CEO of Growth Markets at DAZN, added: 'The Rest Is Football is essential viewing and listening for fans who want insight, entertainment, and personality.
'This partnership is a brilliant way to bring the Fifa Club World Cup even closer to that audience.
'It's about connecting global football with the voices fans trust and love, and showing the tournament in a fresh, exciting, and authentically British way.
'As the global broadcast partner of the Fifa Club World Cup and the only place where fans in the UK can watch every game for free, there was no better partner than Goalhanger.'
MORE: Completely free streaming service adds 'bingeable' new drama perfect for Pride Month
MORE: Call the Midwife rejects claim star was 'disrespected' before shock exit
MORE: Gary Lineker finally buries the hatchet with brother Wayne after 17-year feud
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
11 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Palace's Euro hopes boosted as John Textor sells stake to New York Jets owner
Textor's shares in Palace threatened to be an obstacle to their participation in the Europa League next season because the American is also a shareholder in French side Lyon, who are set to enter the same competition. Under UEFA multi-club ownership rules, it looked as though Palace would miss out. We can confirm that Robert Wood Johnson 'Woody' has signed a legally binding contract to purchase Eagle Football's holding in the club. Full club statement ⤵️#CPFC — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) June 23, 2025 However, Palace announced on Monday that Textor's 45 per cent stake in the London club has been sold to Johnson, subject to Premier League and Women's Super League approval. A club statement read: 'Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Robert Wood Johnson, 'Woody', an American businessman and co-owner of the New York Jets, has signed a legally binding contract to purchase Eagle Football's holding in the club. 'Whilst the completion is pending approval from the Premier League and Women's Super League, we do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club. 'We would like to go on record to thank John Textor for his contribution over the past four years and wish him every success for the future.' Reports have placed the price between £160m and £190m. Palace qualified for the Europa League thanks to their FA Cup final win over Manchester City last month (Nick Potts/PA) The sale may now free Palace up to play in the Europa League, for which the Eagles qualified thanks to their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last month. Textor, who through his Eagle Football Holdings group also owns a significant stake in Brazilian side Botafogo, initially invested in Palace in 2021. The PA news agency understands a decision regarding Palace's participation is expected from UEFA before the end of June.
Scottish Sun
14 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
EastEnders' Max Bowden pictured snogging new girlfriend for the first time ahead of shock soap return
The actor is set to make a shock return to EastEnders later this year LOVED UP EastEnders' Max Bowden pictured snogging new girlfriend for the first time ahead of shock soap return Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EASTENDERS star Max Bowden has gone public with his new girlfriend - with a sweet birthday kiss. The actor - who will soon return to play Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap - had grown closer to co-star Tori Allen-Martin. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Max and Tori met while co-starring in musical Midnight Cowboy Credit: Instagram 3 Max and Tori snogged while celebrating her birthday 3 Max will be making a shock return to EastEnders later this year Credit: BBC The Sun revealed earlier this year how Max, 30, had grown close to actress Tori Allen-Martin, 39, after appearing together on stage in the musical Midnight Cowboy. And now they have confirmed their relationship by kissing in a sweet post on Instagram during Tori's birthday celebrations. A source said: 'Max and Tori hit it off pretty much straight away. "They have the same sense humour and Max was always making her laugh, they just got each other. "Neither was looking for romance, it just kind of happened. "They're having a lot of fun together.' Glamorous Tori is known for BBC sitcom, Here We go, where she starred alongside Gavin and Stacey's Alison Steadman and Rivals actress Katherine Parkinson, as well as cop drama London Kills, as trainee detective Billie Fitzgerald. Max was axed from his role as Albert Square's Ben Mitchell in 2023 following a showdown with bosses over his party lifestyle. But he has been given another chance by the BBC soap's new boss Ben Wadey. A source said: 'Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one. It's taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.' 'I wasn't me' reveals EastEnders star Max Bowden as he speaks out over controversial Ben Mitchell exit Max famously dated his co-star Shona, 33, before moving on with Danielle, 32, who he secretly dated for more than a year before they split. It was recently revealed that the couple were no longer on speaking terms and had unfollowed each other on Instagram. Real-life soap couples Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling. Max Parker and Kris Mochrie Despite playing brothers Luke and Lee Posner on Emmerdale, the pair never actually shared any scenes together. But the pair still fell in love after meeting on set. Max and Kris got together in 2020, moving in together later than same year and got engaged in 2022. In a sweet Instagram post, the couple confirmed they're planning a 2025 wedding. Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey Beth, who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, announced her love for her co-star Ian Kelsey, who played Dean Glover, shortly after she joined Emmerdale at the beginning of 2024. 'I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic," she gushed. Laura Norton and Mark Jordan Kerry Wyatt and Daz Eden actors Laura and Mark met on the set of Emmerdale in 2014. The couple, who got engaged in 2018, told Loose Women they spent a long time deciding whether they should "just stay as friends." Although it seems they were meant to be and the pair now share two children together. Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley Emmerdale favourites Zoe and Jeff, who play Rhonda Goskirk and Cain Dingle met at drama college in 1994 and have been together ever since. While working together might be too much for some couples, that's definitely not the case for Zoe and Jeff. Zoe previously told The Sun: "Working on the same show as Jeff also helps because if one of us is having a bad day then the other will completely understand." Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell Lesley and Chris are another Dales romantic success story. Unlike some of the other soap stars, the pair who play Brenda Walker and Eric Pollard, are together on and off screen, officially tying the knot in 2016. They also adore working together, but have clear home-work boundaries. "We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we're at home, though – that would be just too sad, wouldn't it?" Chris revealed. Sally Carman and Joe Duttine Abi Franklin and Tim Metcalfe actors Sally and Joe got together after meeting on the set of Coronation Street in 2017 and they tied the knot in July 2022. But unlike some of the Emmerdale stars, Sally and Joe prefer that their characters don't interact much. Sally previously admitted it "would be horrendous" to work on a storyline with Joe because "he's too funny." Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston Sean Tully may have been unlucky in love on the cobbles, but in real life Antony's met his Prince Charming. The soap star started dating long-term partner Peter in 2005, after they met when he was working as an assistant props buyer on Corrie. Jane Danson and Robert Beck Corrie favourite Jane Danson tied the knot with soap star Robert Beck in 2005. The actress, who plays Leanne Battersby, shares two children, Harry and Sam, with the former Brookside star. During their marriage, Robert has also done a stint in Weatherfield playing criminal Jimmy Dockerson. Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne Chris, who played pub landlord Peter Barlow, married soap star Caroline in 2002. Although she is best known as an Emmerdale star, Caroline did visit her husband at work when she did a two-episode stint as doctor on the Manchester soap in 2020. The couple share a daughter called Belle, plus two children, Pip and Freddie from Caroline's previous marriage. Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed Nadine Mulkerrin, and Rory Doulas Speed are known for their Hollyoaks alter egos Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter. The loved-up pair got engaged on a December 2018 trip to Amsterdam - just over a year after they announced they were dating. They now share two kids, Reggie and Dougie. Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward Former Hollyoaks star Sophie, whose best known for playing villain Lindsay Butterfield, was introduced to singer and ex-Corrie star Shayne through mutual friends. She gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016 and they welcomed a son in 2022. A TV insider said: 'Max just can't help himself when it comes to his co-stars. "He has this energetic charm that the ladies seem to love.'
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
EastEnders' Max Bowden pictured snogging new girlfriend for the first time ahead of shock soap return
EASTENDERS star Max Bowden has gone public with his new girlfriend - with a sweet birthday kiss. The actor - who will soon return to play Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap - had grown closer to co-star Tori Allen-Martin. 3 3 3 The Sun revealed earlier this year how Max, 30, had grown close to actress Tori Allen-Martin, 39, after appearing together on stage in the musical Midnight Cowboy. And now they have confirmed their relationship by kissing in a sweet post on Instagram during Tori's birthday celebrations. A source said: 'Max and Tori hit it off pretty much straight away. "They have the same sense humour and Max was always making her laugh, they just got each other. "Neither was looking for romance, it just kind of happened. "They're having a lot of fun together.' Glamorous Tori is known for BBC sitcom, Here We go, where she starred alongside Gavin and Stacey's Alison Steadman and Rivals actress Katherine Parkinson, as well as cop drama London Kills, as trainee detective Billie Fitzgerald. But he has been given another chance by the BBC soap's new boss Ben Wadey. A source said: 'Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one. It's taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.' 'I wasn't me' reveals EastEnders star Max Bowden as he speaks out over controversial Ben Mitchell exit Max famously dated his co-star Shona, 33, before moving on with Danielle, 32, who he secretly dated for more than a year before they split. It was recently revealed that the couple were no longer on speaking terms and had unfollowed each other on Instagram. Real-life soap couples Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling. Max Parker and Kris Mochrie Despite playing brothers Luke and Lee Posner on Emmerdale, the pair never actually shared any scenes together. But the pair still fell in love after meeting on set. Max and Kris got together in 2020, moving in together later than same year and got engaged in 2022. In a sweet Instagram post, the couple confirmed they're planning a 2025 wedding. Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey Beth, who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, announced her love for her co-star Ian Kelsey, who played Dean Glover, shortly after she joined Emmerdale at the beginning of 2024. 'I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic," she gushed. Laura Norton and Mark Jordan Kerry Wyatt and Daz Eden actors Laura and Mark met on the set of Emmerdale in 2014. The couple, who got engaged in 2018, told Loose Women they spent a long time deciding whether they should "just stay as friends." Although it seems they were meant to be and the pair now share two children together. Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley Emmerdale favourites Zoe and Jeff, who play Rhonda Goskirk and Cain Dingle met at drama college in 1994 and have been together ever since. While working together might be too much for some couples, that's definitely not the case for Zoe and Jeff. Zoe previously told The Sun: "Working on the same show as Jeff also helps because if one of us is having a bad day then the other will completely understand." Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell Lesley and Chris are another Dales romantic success story. Unlike some of the other soap stars, the pair who play Brenda Walker and Eric Pollard, are together on and off screen, officially tying the knot in 2016. They also adore working together, but have clear home-work boundaries. "We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we're at home, though – that would be just too sad, wouldn't it?" Chris revealed. Sally Carman and Joe Duttine Abi Franklin and Tim Metcalfe actors Sally and Joe got together after meeting on the set of Coronation Street in 2017 and they tied the knot in July 2022. But unlike some of the Emmerdale stars, Sally and Joe prefer that their characters don't interact much. Sally previously admitted it "would be horrendous" to work on a storyline with Joe because "he's too funny." Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston Sean Tully may have been unlucky in love on the cobbles, but in real life Antony's met his Prince Charming. The soap star started dating long-term partner Peter in 2005, after they met when he was working as an assistant props buyer on Corrie. Jane Danson and Robert Beck Corrie favourite Jane Danson tied the knot with soap star Robert Beck in 2005. The actress, who plays Leanne Battersby, shares two children, Harry and Sam, with the former Brookside star. During their marriage, Robert has also done a stint in Weatherfield playing criminal Jimmy Dockerson. Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne Chris, who played pub landlord Peter Barlow, married soap star Caroline in 2002. Although she is best known as an Emmerdale star, Caroline did visit her husband at work when she did a two-episode stint as doctor on the Manchester soap in 2020. The couple share a daughter called Belle, plus two children, Pip and Freddie from Caroline's previous marriage. Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed Nadine Mulkerrin, and Rory Doulas Speed are known for their Hollyoaks alter egos Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter. The loved-up pair got engaged on a December 2018 trip to Amsterdam - just over a year after they announced they were dating. They now share two kids, Reggie and Dougie. Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward Former Hollyoaks star Sophie, whose best known for playing villain Lindsay Butterfield, was introduced to singer and ex-Corrie star Shayne through mutual friends. She gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016 and they welcomed a son in 2022. A TV insider said: 'Max just can't help himself when it comes to his co-stars. "He has this energetic charm that the ladies seem to love.'
