Gary Lineker received standing ovation in Marks and Spencer after BBC MOTD row
Gary Lineker says that he was given a standing ovation by members of the public in Marks and Spencer during the row over his suspension by the BBC.
The Match of the Day presenter was taken off air by the broadcaster in March after he refused to apologise for tweeting criticism of the Government’s bill on illegal migrants. Lineker had compared the language used to launch a Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany on Twitter.
His words sparked an almighty backlash, with the BBC descending into chaos after many of Lineker’s colleagues boycotted their roles in support of the former England striker. Lineker received widespread support from his BBC colleagues – and he says that support was also shown by the public.
He told the Telegraph: "I recall walking to M&S two or three days in, and I got a standing ovation... Well, I suppose everybody's standing in M&S, but even so. It was really cringe. I didn't know what to do. I just thought, 'Please stop'."
The 62-year-old eventually rode out the storm and was reinstated by the BBC after they were forced to broadcast Match of the Day without a presenter, pundits or commentary. BBC director general Tim Davie backed down before announcing a review of the broadcaster’s impartiality agreement.
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Lineker refused to back down, but found the whole episode “pretty sad”. He was particularly touched by his Match of the Day colleagues Alan Shearer and Ian Wright’s decision to refuse to work in solidarity with him.
“I’m absolutely baffled by the obsession of some of our media with what I say,” he added. “I don’t understand it. I don’t preach, I don’t tell people what to do. I’ve deliberately avoided doing that.
Gary Lineker is back presenting on the BBC (Getty Images)“I’m just a bloke who used to play football and who now talks about it. I have an interest in politics, but I’m not running for parliament or anything like that. I just give my views on things.”
In a statement released upon Lineker’s reinstatement, Davie blamed the fiasco on a grey area in the BBC’s policy.
“The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air,” he said.
“Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also important to the public. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression.
"That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles.
“The BBC’s social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.”
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