Editing Gary Lineker (section)

==Media career==
=== Sports presenting ===
Following retirement from professional football, Lineker developed a career in the media, initially on the [[BBC]] for [[BBC Radio 5 Live|Radio 5 Live]] and as a football pundit. He appeared as a team captain on the sports game show ''[[They Think It's All Over (TV series)|They Think It's All Over]]'' from 1995 to 2003. He also presented ''[[Grandstand (BBC)|Grandstand]]'' in the London studio while presenter [[Des Lynam]] was in [[Aintree]] when the [[Grand National]] was abandoned because of a bomb alert at the racecourse in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=Gary Lineker: How he went from football sensation to BBC star |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp39xlwexyxo |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 1999, he replaced Lynam as the BBC's anchorman for football coverage, including its flagship football television programme ''[[Match of the Day]]'', becoming [[BBC Sport]]'s highest paid presenter.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/414635.stm | title= Lineker 'steps into Des's shoes' | work=BBC News | date=8 August 1999 | access-date=15 March 2023}}</ref> Following the departure of [[Steve Rider]] from the BBC in 2005, Lineker, who is a keen recreational golfer with a [[Golf handicap|handicap]] of four, became the new presenter for the corporation's golf coverage. Despite receiving some criticism from his peers,<ref name="Observer" /> he continued to front the BBC's coverage of the Masters and [[The Open Championship|The Open]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Simon Parke |title=A sporting chance for unity |url=http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=42724 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227073407/http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=42724 |archive-date=27 December 2008 |access-date=3 August 2009 |work=Church Times}}</ref>

In 2005, Lineker was sued for [[Slander and libel|defamation]] by Australian footballer [[Harry Kewell]] over comments Lineker had made writing in his column in ''[[The Sunday Telegraph]]'' about Kewell's transfer from [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict. It became known during the case that the article had actually been [[ghost-written]] by a journalist at ''The Sunday Telegraph'' following a telephone interview with Lineker.<ref>{{cite news |last=Booth |first=Robert |date=4 July 2006 |title=Lineker and Kewell settle libel case out of court |work=The Guardian |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1520864,00.html |access-date=13 November 2006}}</ref>

In May 2010, Lineker resigned from his role as columnist for ''[[The Mail on Sunday]]'' in protest over the sting operation against [[David Triesman, Baron Triesman|Lord Triesman]] that reportedly jeopardised England's bid to host the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018 World Cup]]. Triesman resigned as chairman of the bid and the FA on 16 May 2010 after the publication of a secret recording of a conversation between the peer and a former ministerial aide, during which he claimed that Spain and Russia were planning to bribe referees at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] in South Africa.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ducker |first=James |date=19 May 2010 |title=Gary Lineker kicks column into touch in protest over Lord Triesman sting |work=[[The Times]] |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7129899.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510010128/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7129899.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2011 |access-date=19 May 2010}}</ref> Lineker then began working as an anchor for the English language football coverage for [[beIN Sports (MENA)|Al Jazeera Sport]], which is broadcast throughout most of the Middle East. He left the Qatar-based network in 2012.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Lineker was the lead presenter of the [[BBC]]'s coverage of the [[London 2012 Olympic Games]], presenting the evening action each day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC London 2012 presenter line-up |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/021211-bbc-2012-presenter-line-up |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> This was a role he also took for the [[Glasgow 2014|Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/cwg |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

In 2013, Lineker began working for [[NBCSN]] as part of their Premier League coverage and contributing to the US version of ''[[Match of the Day (US TV series)|Match of the Day]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Graham |date=16 April 2013 |title=Lineker and Match of the Day feature in NBC's Premier League plans |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/apr/16/nbc-premier-league-match-of-the-day}}</ref> On 9 June 2015, Lineker was unveiled as the lead presenter of [[BT Sport]]'s [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] coverage. On 13 August 2016, Lineker presented the first ''Match of the Day'' of the [[2016–17 Premier League|2016–17]] season wearing only boxer shorts.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 August 2016 |title=Gary Lineker pants: Match of the Day presenter keeps Twitter promise |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37074641 |access-date=26 July 2018}}</ref> Believing it would simply not happen, he had promised in a tweet from December 2015<ref>{{cite web |title=Gary Lineker on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/garylineker/status/676520648097865728?lang=en}}</ref> that if Leicester City won the [[2015–16 Premier League|Premier League]], he would "present ''Match of the Day'' in just my undies".

As of July 2022, Lineker is the highest-paid BBC presenter and has been for several years; receiving payments of £1.75–1.76 million each year between 2016 and 2020,<ref>{{cite news |date=11 July 2018 |title=BBC pay: The 2017-18 list of star salaries in full |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44792074 |access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="BBC News">{{cite news |date=15 September 2020 |title=BBC star salaries: Gary Lineker takes pay cut as Zoe Ball shoots up list |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54119758 |access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref> and approximately £1.35 million in 2020–21.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2022 |title=Gary Lineker becomes only on-air BBC talent to earn more than £1m |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/gary-lineker-tim-davie-lauren-laverne-radio-nadine-dorries-b2121192.html |access-date=15 March 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> His pay has been criticised by [[Julian Knight (politician)|Julian Knight]], chair of the parliamentary [[Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=15 September 2020 |title=BBC Talent Salaries Draw Criticism, But New Boss Tim Davie Holds His Ground |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/global/bbc-graham-norton-millions-gary-lineker-1234770277/ |access-date=2 November 2020 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and former BBC presenter [[Esther Rantzen]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Fenwick |first=George |date=16 September 2020 |title=Dame Esther Rantzen calls for all BBC salaries to be cut to £150,000 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/dame-esther-ranzen-gary-lineker-bbc-salaries-a4549021.html |access-date=2 November 2020 |website=www.standard.co.uk}}</ref> The BBC's Director General, [[Tim Davie]], stated that Lineker's pay was justified "because of the value of analysis to the viewing audience".<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC boss defends Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball's £1.3 million salaries |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/bbc-boss-defends-gary-lineker-and-zoe-balls-13-million-salaries-39572713.html |access-date=2 November 2020 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In March 2023, Lineker was required to step back from presenting on the BBC for three days due to a controversy over his criticism of the British government's immigration policy on Twitter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gary Lineker stepping back from role as Match of the Day presenter |url=https://news.sky.com/story/gary-lineker-stepping-back-from-role-as-match-of-the-day-presenter-12830108 |access-date=10 March 2023 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":03">{{Cite news |title=Gary Lineker: Wright and Shearer pull out of MOTD |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/entertainment-arts-64895316 |access-date=10 March 2023 |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=BBC seeks to end crisis by reinstating presenter Lineker |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/bbc-says-gary-lineker-return-presenting-2023-03-13/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=Reuters |date=13 March 2023 |language=en|last1=Young |first1=Sarah |last2=Holton |first2=Kate }}</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |date=13 March 2023 |title=Gary Lineker will abide by BBC guidelines until review completed - Tim Davie |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-64937656 |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>

On 11 November 2024, it was announced that Lineker would be stepping down from presenting ''Match of the Day'' following the conclusion of the [[2024–25 Premier League]] season in May 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title =Gary Lineker to leave BBC's Match of the day|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdd456rzg75o|access-date=11 November 2024|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Having been previously announced as leaving the BBC after covering the [[2025–26 FA Cup]] and the [[2026 FIFA World Cup|2026 World Cup]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Razzall |first=Katie |date=2024 |title=Gary Lineker to leave BBC's Match of the Day |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdd456rzg75o}}</ref> in May 2025 it was announced that Lineker would leave the BBC completely at the end of the season following further controversy regarding his usage of social media, including sharing a post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic insult.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 May 2025 |title=Lineker to leave BBC sooner than planned after antisemitism row |work=BBC News |author1=Paul Glynn |author2=Steven McIntosh |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79e37nld1no |access-date=19 May 2025}}</ref>

=== Walkers commercials ===
Lineker has appeared in television commercials for the Leicester-based snack company [[Walkers (snack foods)|Walkers]]. Originally signing a £200,000 deal in 1994, his first advert was 1995's "Welcome Home" (Lineker had recently returned to England having played in Japan).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lafferty |first1=Catherine |last2=Charles |first2=Gemma |title=Why Walkers and Lineker have a marriage made to last, plus 5 of Gary's funniest ads |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/why-walkers-lineker-marriage-made-last-plus-5-garys-funniest-ads/1385016 |work=[[Campaign (magazine)|Campaign]] |date=25 February 2016 |access-date=29 June 2018}}</ref> Walkers temporarily named their salt and vinegar crisps after Lineker, labelling them 'Salt & Lineker', in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Sarah |title=Appointment to view: Lineker's highlights with Walkers |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/appointment-view-linekers-highlights-walkers/1084911 |work=Campaign |date=16 August 2011 |access-date=29 June 2018}}</ref> In 2000, Lineker's Walkers commercials were ranked ninth in [[Channel 4]]'s poll of ''[[The 100 Greatest TV Ads]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 Greatest TV Ads |url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/greatest_ads/ |url-status=dead |publisher=[[Channel 4]] |location=London |year=2000 |access-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010618095141/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/greatest_ads/ |archive-date=18 June 2001}}</ref>

=== Other media appearances ===
Lineker participated in [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Edward]]'s charity television special ''[[The Grand Knockout Tournament]]'' in 1987. He also appeared in the 1991 play ''[[An Evening with Gary Lineker]]'' by [[Arthur Smith (comedian)|Arthur Smith]] and [[Chris England]], which was adapted for television in 1994. He presented a six-part TV series for the BBC in 1998 (directed by Lloyd Stanton) called ''Golden Boots'',<ref>{{cite web |date=13 April 1998 |title=Golden Boots |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149464/ |access-date=14 October 2012 |publisher=IMDb}}</ref> with other football celebrities. It was an extensive history of the World Cup focusing on the 'Golden Boots' (top scorers).{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

In 2006, Lineker took on an acting role as the voice of ''[[Underground Ernie]]'' on the BBC's children's channel, [[CBeebies]].<ref name="UndergroundErnie">{{cite news |date=10 October 2005 |title=Tube trains get lines in series |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4326588.stm |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> In December 2008, Lineker appeared on the ITV1 television programme ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' where he and English rugby union player [[Austin Healey]] won £50,000 for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation. In 2009, Lineker and his wife Danielle hosted a series of the BBC's ''Northern Exposure'', following on from [[Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen]] from the previous year in visiting and showcasing locations throughout Northern Ireland.<ref>[http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Gary-and-Danielles-Northern-Exposure-A2506 Gary and Danielle's Northern Exposure] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827095812/http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Gary-and-Danielles-Northern-Exposure-A2506|date=27 August 2009}} at DiscoverNorthernIreland.com</ref>

Lineker has made a number of [[cameo appearance]]s in TV shows and movies, such as the 2002 film ''[[Bend It Like Beckham]],'' the 2014 BBC TV film ''[[Marvellous]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Two - Marvellous |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jmx7l |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> and a number of appearances in the [[Apple TV+]] football comedy TV series ''[[Ted Lasso]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Levy |first=Matt |date=21 September 2021 |title=Who Ted Lasso's Footballers Lineker & Henry Are & Why Beard Sees Them |url=https://screenrant.com/ted-lasso-thierry-henry-gary-lineker-who-coach-beard-see-why/ |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref> In 2013, Lineker participated in the genealogical programme ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (UK TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]'' during which he discovered an ancestor who was a [[Poaching|poacher]], and another who was a [[legal clerk]].<ref name="wdytyr">{{cite web |date=22 August 2013 |title=Who Do You Think You Are?, Series 10, Gary Lineker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b039292p |access-date=26 June 2014 |publisher=BBC One}}</ref> In 2021, Lineker started hosting the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] game show ''[[Sitting on a Fortune]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gary Lineker to host new ITV gameshow, Sitting on a Fortune|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-57927271 |access-date=29 March 2022 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=22 July 2021}}</ref>

===Goalhanger Films and Podcasts===
In May 2014, Lineker established his own production company Goalhanger Films Ltd. with former ITV Controller Tony Pastor.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gary Lineker launches sport doc indie Goal Hanger |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/people/gary-lineker-launches-sport-doc-indie-goal-hanger/5076420.article |magazine=Broadcastnow |date=21 August 2014 |access-date=26 May 2015}}</ref> During the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], Lineker presented several short videos produced by Goalhanger Films on [[YouTube]] with the title ''Blahzil''. In May 2015, the company produced a 60-minute-long documentary presented by Lineker titled ''Gary Lineker on the Road to FA Cup Glory'' for the BBC.<ref>{{cite web |title=The FA Cup – 2014/15: Gary Lineker on the Road to FA Cup Glory |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05x2x71/the-fa-cup-201415-gary-lineker-on-the-road-to-fa-cup-glory |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=26 May 2015}}</ref>

He also operates [[Goalhanger Podcasts]], which produces ''[[Leading (podcast)|Leading]]'', ''[[The Rest is History (podcast)|The Rest is History]]'', ''[[The Rest is Politics]]'' and his own podcast, ''The Rest is Football'', which he hosts with [[Alan Shearer]] and [[Micah Richards]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gapper |first1=John |title=Gary Lineker and his Goalhanger teammates on their podcast empire |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5a3c53cb-cad8-4184-9724-21ba236d5f00 |website=[[Financial Times]] |access-date=23 August 2023 |date=10 July 2023}}</ref>

=== Baller League UK ===
In November 2024, it was announced that Lineker would manage one of the 12 teams in the [[Baller League UK]], a [[six-a-side football]] league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Baller League: KSI, Gary Lineker, Luis Figo & John Terry among names involved in new football league |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3rx5ll9y3zo |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Buckingham |first1=Philip |last2=Stafford-Bloor |first2=Seb |title=What is Baller League, why are KSI and IShowSpeed involved and is it a game-changer? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5949002/2024/11/26/baller-league-explained-ksi-ishowspeed/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=The New York Times |date=26 November 2024 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>