The real reason Gary Lineker is quitting the BBC and next career step
The real reason Gary Lineker is quitting the BBC and next career step
Gary Lineker has announced he is leaving the BBC and Match of the Day with immediate effect, following a social media row over a pro-Palestinian video he shared
Gary Lineker will be leaving the BBC after tonight's show
(Image: BBC )
A personal branding guru has divulged potential future moves for Gary Lineker following his departure from the BBC's Match of the Day, suggesting that "this next chapter will likely be the most 'Gary' we've ever seen".
The erstwhile England footballer turned commentator was set to front the Beeb's coverage until the season's end before making his exit. Yet, Lineker will now leave earlier than anticipated after sharing a pro-Palestine clip touching on the Gaza strife via social media.
The contentious video displayed Diana Buttu, Canadian-Palestinian lawyer, criticising Israel's conduct in Gaza and featured a debatable cartoon rat emoji linked with anti-Semitic insinuations.
After substantial public disapproval, Lineker issued an apology on Monday (May 19), expressing remorse for any hurt caused and clarifying that he would "never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic".
At 64, the famed forward announced he's stepping down from his prominent TV role after two decades, sparking intrigue among devoted fans about what direction he'll strike next, reports the Mirror.
Considering these developments, the Mirror consulted with Mayah Riaz, known for her expertise in celebrity PR and personal branding, who maintained that departing might be the favourable move regarding Lineker's "personal brand journey", as his "dual identity" had previously posed a "PR headache for the BBC".
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Mayah commented: "Gary leaving the BBC marks the end of an era, but it's also a natural evolution in his personal brand journey.
"When you're the highest-paid presenter at a publicly funded broadcaster, you're not just a TV host. You're a symbol of the institution. And symbols are held to a different standard.
"Gary has always walked the line between sports presenter and social commentator. I very much think that dual identity is part of his appeal, but having said that, it's also what's made him a PR headache for the BBC. The scrutiny he faced wasn't solely about what he said on social media. It was about who was saying it and how much he was being paid to represent the BBC's values."
Having "outgrown the platform", Mayah has suggested that Lineker now has the chance "to double down on his identity as a thought leader and commentator", and hinted that he could follow in the footsteps of fellow broadcaster, Piers Morgan, who famously stepped back from his post on Good Morning Britain following a heated row over Meghan Markle.
Mayah continued: "Was it the right decision for him to go? From a PR perspective, yes, I do think it was. Why? Because his personal brand has clearly outgrown the platform. He's no longer just a Match of the Day host. He's a cultural voice. And that comes with a different set of freedoms and risks.
"In fact, I believe that his staying could have done more damage. It would have been a constant tug-of-war between his values and the BBC's guidelines. That's not sustainable, and it certainly isn't strategic.
"Gary now has an opportunity to double down on his identity as a thought leader and commentator. Whether that's through independent media projects, documentaries, podcasting or high-profile partnerships, he's free to speak without the filter of institutional restraint.
"He could even follow the likes of his friend Piers Morgan and launch his own platform or partner with existing ones like Channel 4 or streaming giants. This next chapter will likely be the most 'Gary' we've ever seen. It will be interesting to see how Gary shapes his legacy now that he's in full control of the narrative."
In his statement shared with supporters, the Leicester-born legend conveyed: "I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I'd 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."
BBC Director-General Tim Davie has also released a comment stating: "Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season. Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.
"His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made."
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Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates are set to present Match of the Day in the upcoming season. According to The Sun, these three are now vying for the top spot as the main presenter of the BBC's World Cup coverage, stepping into Lineker's shoes.
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