Piers Morgan's one-word response to Gary Lineker BBC exit after years-long feud

Daily Mirror

19-05-2025

Gary Lineker is reportedly leaving the BBC following recent controversy and Piers Morgan - whom he's thought to have previously had a 'feud' - has reacted to the news
The news of Gary Lineker 's departure from the BBC has prompted a shocked reaction from Piers Morgan. The journalist has been among those addressing reports that the long-serving sports pundit is set to leave the corporation.
It was reported last night that Gary, 64, has decided to quit the BBC, with an announcement on the situation expected today. It's been suggested that his position has become "untenable" following another controversy in his career.
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He ended up apologising earlier this month after sharing a pro- Palestine post on social media that he has "since learned contained offensive references". He told fans at the time: "I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic."
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Gary was already due to leave his role as the host of Match of the Day at the end of the season, though it's reported that he will now leave earlier than planned. And he had been expected to be the main presenter of the broadcaster's coverage of next season's FA Cup and next year's World Cup.
Piers, 60 - who was previously thought to have a feud with fellow presenter Gary - reacted to the news on X. Sharing an article about Gary's departure from the BBC, the former Good Morning Britain host wrote last night: "Wow…" The article shared by Piers was about Gary's apparent departure and suggested Gary was leaving by "mutual agreement," with his final Match of the Day expected to air Sunday.
Gary and Piers have poked fun at each other in the past, and were thought to have a rivalry at one point, before seemingly reconciling in recent years. Gary teased over Piers whilst on an episode of ITV's the Assembly recently though.
It came after he was asked to name the "absolute worst person" he has ever worked with. Responding, Gary teased on the show: "I'm struggling ... I'm trying to find someone. It's a shame I never worked with Piers Morgan, isn't it?"
The BBC has yet to announce Gary's departure, but it was reported last night that he will be leaving. The reports come after he sparked a backlash with a post that he shared on Instagram earlier this month. As previously reported, Gary shared a post on the platform that featured a clip of Israel 's actions in Gaza being criticised. The post also included an emoji of a rat, which is associated with antisemitic tropes.
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Gary - who has often prompted criticism over sharing his political views - has been vocal about his concerns over Gaza. Speaking to the Telegraph, for example, he said recently: "It's beyond depraved, what they're going through, unimaginable. [...] It's inevitable that the Israeli occupation was going to cause massive problems, and I just feel for the Palestinians."
His post earlier this month is the latest to attract controversy. Following the post, the Campaign Against Antisemitism group was among those calling for his departure from the BBC. In one post, the group wrote on X last week: "Nothing to see here. Just Gary Lineker's Instagram account sharing an anti-Israel video misrepresenting Zionism, complete with a rat emoji."
Whilst an anonymous member of BBC staff told the Telegraph: "It is quite simply disgusting that the BBC has not kicked Lineker out. His repeated offensiveness to Jewish people has clearly brought the BBC into disrepute. The interpretation of Zionism he has shared is anti-Semitic and the fact that the BBC thinks it's acceptable is deeply upsetting to its Jewish staff, myself included."
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Apologising for the post, Gary said: "On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in."
He added: "The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue. Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters. I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly."
Responding to the controversy, BBC Director-General, Tim Davie, when asked whether he thought Gary had broken the broadcaster's rules in terms of impartiality, said: "When it comes to presenters, I'll just say that the BBC's reputation is held by everyone. And when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. And I think we absolutely need people to be exemplars of the BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that."