Gary Lineker: I'm a better presenter now, which is a good time to go
An early afternoon with Gary Lineker involves getting your clothes covered in dog hair because friendly Filbert likes a tummy tickle, re-enacting his recent Panorama-style interview with the BBC's Amol Rajan, and chatting about Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thomas Tuchel and Big Brother, and how Lineker's suspension from the BBC became headline news.
But I am in his southwest London home predominantly to mark the end of an era. There must be very few people in England who do not know by now that after 26 years at the helm, Lineker will present Match of the Day for the last time this month. He suspects they might mark the moment with a montage of his best bits but is intrigued how they will link to
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BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Very good week' for England or 'back to the drawing board'?
Big-name retirements, an impressive display against Portugal but dominated by Spain days later. Has it been a positive week for England or a reality check?Sarina Wiegman's side are preparing to defend their European title in Switzerland next month but had two testing matches in the Women's Nations League to navigate first.A 6-0 victory over Portugal afforded the opportunity for returning stars to build their fitness after injuries, but Tuesday's game in Spain against the world champions was the ultimate litmus test to assess the level of the Lionesses going into the tournament. Key players back and new tests Manager Wiegman had her hands full going into the camp after goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her shock international retirement and key defender Millie Bright withdrew from the squad to focus on her mental and physical St-Germain stopper Earps had fallen down the pecking order, with Hannah Hampton increasingly looking more likely to secure the number one Wiegman admitted Earps would have been a valuable member of the Euros squad - and it had been "hard" to deal with her decision. That news was a major distraction as England prepared to face Portugal, piling pressure on Hampton and raising questions about the morale in the response was emphatic and admirable as they produced an immense display, thrashing Portugal in front of an entertained crowd at Beever-Jones demonstrated England's attacking depth with a brilliant hat-trick, while Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway all got minutes after returning from knee positive signs cannot be forgotten, although their week did not end on a high as an elite Spain side fought back in style for a 2-1 success that took them into the Nations League England defender Anita Asante told ITV: "The most important thing is the right players are getting the right minutes to feel prepared going into the Euros."Karen Carney, a former Lionesses midfielder, added: "It's great we got fitness for Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood. "If we get them back fighting - it's a good position for them. I'm confident for England going into the group stages."Carney admitted England had to "suffer" against Spain because they rotated in the second half as Wiegman looked to expose some of her fringe players to the experience against world-class names her Euros squad on Thursday and handed a senior debut to Missy Bo Kearns, just hours before midfielder Fran Kirby announced her international retirement, capping off a rollercoaster week for the Dutchwoman."Sometimes you have to go through these moments because the bigger picture for the summer is giving players the minutes that they need," added Carney."The changes in the second half really hampered England and we felt disconnected. It is a positive because Wiegman has got a lot to learn."The England boss echoed that sentiment, saying she was not concerned and could use the Spain loss as another "learning moment"."We had a very good week - players coming back from injuries, players fighting for positions, or minutes, or selection, and that is very positive." 'I would rather have a lesson now' But while there were certainly positives - most notably the Portugal performance after such a disruptive build-up - the second-half display in their defeat by Spain showed they clearly have work to France, the Netherlands and Wales awaiting them in the group stages at the Euros, they do not have time to get up to are tipped by many to be the tournament favourites and will undoubtedly be one of England's biggest obstacles if they want to defend their would have been unsettling, then, to see how easily Montse Tome's side dominated possession in the second half and put the visitors under relentless pressure and should have scored more goals than the two from substitute Claudia Pina."It's back to the drawing board against our old rival Spain," said former England international Lindsay Johnson on BBC Radio 5 Live. "In the first half, England looked confident in that low block, and they hit Spain on the transition. "In the second half, England really dropped off, Spain upped their game and England couldn't get anywhere near Spain. They were chasing shadows."Captain Leah Williamson admitted her side's performances away from home recently have been "difficult".It has been an inconsistent Women's Nations League campaign for the were held to a 1-1 draw in Portugal, then beat Spain at Wembley days later in February. In April, they thrashed Belgium 5-0 at home, then lost 3-2 in Leuven."What we have been saying the whole time is that 'it's the new England'. So we wanted to try different things as well," Williamson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "There was more inconsistency than we like, but you have seen very good sides of us. They are the levels we need to keep pushing for and hopefully we will be ready [for the Euros]."We would have liked to pick up a win [against Spain]. That would have done wonders for our confidence, how we feel and how we look ahead."But we can't forget all the work we have done. As we always say, I would rather have a lesson now than in a month's time."England will have another opportunity to piece things together when they face Jamaica in a friendly on 29 June - their final match before the Euros. Head here to get involved
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island star's SHOCK EXIT as they leave the villa ahead of upcoming series after citing 'personal reasons'
Love Island star Kyle Ashman has left the show ahead of the launch episode next Monday. ITV have confirmed the 23-year-old from Stafford has chosen not to enter the villa and has decided to leave the show for personal reasons. It comes amid The Sun's reports that Kyle was involved in an machete attack in February when masked thugs stormed a wake and hacked at a dad with a blade. Kyle was one of two arrested by police but he was released with no further action and he has now confirmed he had no involvement in the incident, but has chosen to leave the ITV show regardless. Kyle told MailOnline: 'I fully cooperated with this police investigation and made it very clear that I had no involvement in this incident. 'I am not a violent person and any suggestion otherwise is a mischaracterisation.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Meanwhile ITV added: 'For personal reasons, Kyle will not be entering the Love Island Villa as planned.' The Love Island line up was announced on Tuesday so Kyle's departure will have plunged the show into chaos ahead of Monday's launch episode. The Sun have revealed they alerted bosses on Kyle being questioned in the attack but ITV said they were unaware of the incident and he was not flagged during the contestant checks. The incident on February 28 saw the victim, 38, nearly lose his arm after he was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and kept it for around two weeks. Another mourner was reportedly glassed, one hit with a metal pole, and two people were run over by a car during the 15 minute attack at the The White Eagle Club in Stafford. Sources said the victim was attacked by three balaclava-clad thugs over an alleged £3,000 debt. He was injured by a blade that left him with a deep gash and has suffered tendon damage and is now unable to drive. Police confirmed yesterday that after the matter had been investigated Kyle and another individual were released with no further action only last month. The incident on February 28 at The White Eagle Club in Stafford saw the victim, 38, nearly lose his arm after he was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment A show source told the publication: 'ITV were entirely unaware of Kyle's past and, as he was not charged, it was not flagged as part of Love Island's stringent DBS checks. 'It's only right he can now return home to the UK to share his side of the story and therefore bosses took the decision that it was best for him not to enter the villa.' Staffordshire Police said on Monday: 'A 22-year-old man, from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of wounding and affray. Another man, also 22 and from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of affray. 'Both were questioned in custody and bailed with conditions while our enquiries continue.' Kyle, who works as a water operative, doesn't have a strong social media presence with just one Insta pic on his profile. Prior to his announced departure, Kyle said he was looking for 'someone that's fun, confident and just themselves'.
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Samantha Armytage commits dangerous act in London as she goes bike riding in the city
Samantha Armytage is currently enjoying a relaxing holiday in London after filming The Golden Bachelor. But the Channel Nine host, 45, committed a dangerous act as she explored the city on Tuesday. Samantha shared a video to Instagram as she rode a bike through a park but she wasn't wearing a helmet. The TV star also revealed how she almost fell off the bike, captioning the post: 'Both hands on the wheel! Nearly fell off.' In the video, Samantha laughed as she turned the camera to reveal her scenic surroundings while on the bike. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The trip comes after Samantha was recently busy filming The Golden Bachelor. Cameras have officially started rolling on the Channel Nine dating show for older, single romantics looking for a second shot at love. Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed Barry 'Bear' Myrden, a 50-something infrastructure engineer and passionate sailor from Sydney, has been handpicked as the leading man for the upcoming Australian adaptation. In exclusive pictures, Barry was seen filming the show in Sydney in March, and his cast of leading ladies have since been spotted arriving at the Sydney mansion where filming will take place. Barry, a father-of-three and a respected professional in the tech industry, currently works in Data Centre Management for Woolworths Group. With decades of experience in his field, he has held senior roles at major companies like Macquarie Bank and the NSW Port Authority. But while his career has flourished, sources close to Daily Mail Australia revealed his personal journey has been marked by tragedy as Barry is is widowed. 'Bear is always complaining that his boys are saying that he is bringing around the wrong kind of girls that are just too young and hot for him,' one friend revealed. 'We were always saying that he needs to be put on a show like MAFS, so seeing him up for the Bachelor role is no surprise.' Despite his corporate background, Barry is far from your typical office-bound executive. A passionate sailor, he has competed in high-profile races like the Sydney to Hobart. In one photo captured during one of his recent sailing ventures, Barry looked handsome and rugged as he manned a yacht. Unlike The Bachelor and The Bachelorette which feature young men and women, the Golden Bachelor is targeted at a more mature audience eager to watch how those who have already experienced great love and loss are chasing companionship in their next chapter. 'Bear is not your usual reality TV type,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia. 'He's charming, intelligent and has really lived a full life. He's been through love, loss and now he's ready to open his heart again. Women are going to adore him.' Local fans of the The Golden Bachelor have been calling for an Australian version since the US version premiered last year to critical acclaim. Producers are keeping tight-lipped about the contestants vying for Barry's heart, but if the US series is anything to go by the show promises to deliver a mix of heartwarming moments, deep connections and unexpected twists.
