James Haskell 'says everyone is entitled to have an opinion' amid Gary Lineker

13 March 2023 , 11:57

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James Haskell 'says everyone is entitled to have an opinion' amid Gary Lineker

James Haskell has insisted that everyone is entitled to their own opinion amid Gary Lineker's BBC row.

Lineker was controversially axed by the BBC after criticising the government's use of language towards migrants.

He has stood by his comments, and today, it has been confirmed that the 62-year-old will be returning to present football on the BBC.

BBC bosses appear to agree that their decision to take him off air was wrong.

The corporation announced on Friday that Lineker would not present Match of the Day while the fallout from his tweets criticising the government’s small boats policy was dealt with.

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James Haskell has backed Gary Lineker (ITV)

Their decision sparked a wave of anger from the public - including many of Lineker’s BBC colleagues.

Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and match commentators pulled out of the iconic Saturday highlights show throwing the BBC’s coverage into chaos.

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After a weekend broadcasting match action with no commentary or pundit insight, the BBC have now reinstated Lineker in time for him to present FA Cup coverage this coming weekend.

Following the controversy, James Haskell backed the presenter on Monday's installment of This Morning.

James and his podcast co-host, Mike Tindall shared their thoughts on the BBC row (ITV)

Debating the topic on the show this morning, Holly and Phillip Schofield shared their thoughts with James and his podcast co-host, Mike Tindall.

The I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here star said that 'everyone is entitled to have their own opinion' and share it as they see fit.

It comes after more than 210,000 Mirror readers have signed our petition to reinstate Lineker on Match of the Day.

Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker has been reinstated by the BBC (PA)

Mirror Editor-in-Chief Alison Phillips said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of people who joined the call to have Gary Lineker reinstated and the strength of feeling of so many.

‘’We believe that popular strength of feeling in support of Gary Lineker sent a clear message to the BBC which had come under huge pressure from those on the right who wish to silence those with a different viewpoint to their own ."

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