Gary Lineker's first job since Match of the Day revealed as he jumps ship to ITV
Gary Lineker will be hosting The Box for ITV after leaving the BBC. The footballer-turned-broadcaster stepped down from the BBC in May after years of hosting Match of the Day but it has now been revealed that he will front a sports-themed game show for the rival channel.
The programme will see Gary oversee 10 yellow boxes each housing our celebrity contestants as they are transported to unknown locations, before being released to face whatever game awaits on the other side of the door. Every episode will see a string of famous faces confronted with surprising reveals, unique games, and a compelling series arc - as each week two players will face The Duel, a dramatic show finale which will see the loser leaving the competition for good.
Gary said: "I can't wait to host The Box. I've always felt right at home in the box on a football pitch and whilst this is a different proposition, the fundamentals are similar. The contestants will have to quickly and masterfully work out how each game works, whilst also trying to get ahead of the competition to take control. It's going to be unpredictable and thrilling to watch, and I'm excited that I get to have a front row seat to all the action!" It comes after Richard Osman reveals axed Ant and Dec show was 'expensive car crash'.
The series, which originated in Norway last January, will be filmed in the UK later this year and it is expected to hit screens in 2026. Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning ITV said: ' Gary is the perfect fit for The Box, an entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format.'
Dan Adamson, Chief Content Officer, Twofour said: 'We're delighted to be making The Box with ITV and Seefood TV. From the first time we saw those iconic yellow boxes open in an incredible location we were hooked. Now, with Gary on board we have the ideal Master of Ceremonies to make this real event telly, he is after all a man who knows what it's like under pressure in the box. He's sure to raise the competitive spirit as our cast bursts out of those boxes, into unknown, ambitious and spectacular challenges.'
Gary quit the BBC in May this year after hosting Match of the Day for 26 years. It came after he posted a pro-Palestine video on his Instagram account which featured an 'anti-Semitic' rat emoji from the campaign group, Palestine Lobby.
The presenter quickly deleted the post and issued an apology afterwards. Lineker said he took "full responsibility for this mistake" and the "image does not reflect my views". Announcing his BBC exit at the time, Gary said: " Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio. I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
"However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."
Gary was originally set to stay on the BBC as the main presenter of next season's FA Cup and World Cup 2026, however he left his BBC position early over the social media post.
Last week, Gary opened up about his exit - revealing that it was the BBC's decision for him to leave the company early. When he was asked in an interview with The New World whether leaving was his choice or a case of 'quit or be quitted', he replied: "The latter."
He added: "I missed it [the rat emoji]. To be honest, I wouldn't have understood the connotations anyway until it was pointed out to me. I genuinely didn't see it. I'm not an idiot. I may not have known it was an anti-Semitic trope, but I would have wondered why someone had put a rat there. Why would you ever conflate a rodent with a human?"
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