Latest news with #GoalhangerProductions
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Alan Shearer breaks silence on Match of the Day future after Gary Lineker's emotional BBC exit
ALAN SHEARER has opened up on Gary Lineker's emotional Match of the Day exit - and his own future on the show. Lineker, 64, signed off from his role as MOTD host after 26 years on Sunday night. 2 2 The England legend revealed his intention to quit from the Beeb show back in November. But his exit was overshadowed by an antisemitism storm, which saw Lineker step away from the BBC completely. Shearer, 54, made his BBC punditry debut back in 2006 and has worked alongside Lineker ever since. Shearer told The Daily Mail: "He got a really emotional send off on Sunday, and one he deserved. "He's a brilliant broadcaster, and he's a great friend of mine, and we will all miss him." The Toon icon confirmed he will continue to appear on the iconic BBC show. Shearer and Lineker are also set to carry on with their hit podcast The Rest Is Football. They are joined on the popular pod by Micah Richards, another popular Beeb pundit. Shearer admits Lineker's farewell didn't hit too hard - as they've already recorded two more episodes since. The Newcastle legend continued: "It's different for myself and Micah, because it's not as if we're not ever going to see him again. Gary Lineker reveals Match of the Day blunder he made in last-ever appearance for first time in 26 years "I mean, we've done two recordings of our podcast as well, so we're still going to be sort of working together." Lineker's production company Goalhanger Productions are reportedly in talks with DAZN ahead of the summer. The discussions are based around "launching shows featuring MOTD-style match clips of the Club World Cup." TV insiders also believe Lineker moving to a rival such as ITV or Sky Sports is "highly unlikely." Lineker faced a huge backlash after he re-posted a video earlier this month which criticised Zionism and included an illustration of a rat. The Three Lions legend agreed to leave the BBC for good and apologised unreservedly. Lineker was given a seven-minute tribute during his final Match of the Day broadcast Tearing up, he added: "It's been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It's been utterly joyous. "I'd like to wish Gabby [Logan], Mark [Chapman], and Kelly [Cates] all the best when they sit in the chair. "The programme is in the best of hands. My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching. "Thank you for all your love and support over the years. It's been so special. "I'm sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye."
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gary Lineker ‘in talks to launch MOTD-style show with major sport broadcaster' after controversial BBC exit
GARY LINEKER is reportedly planning for life as a "media disruptor" after leaving the BBC. The 64-year-old parted ways with the Beeb earlier this week following an anti-Semitism row. 2 Lineker announced earlier this season he would depart his role as Match of the Day host after almost three decades. But he had been due to stay for the BBC's coverage of the World Cup next summer. The former England striker is now reportedly planning to expand on an existing role. According to The Guardian, Lineker's podcast The Rest is Football are in talks with DAZN. The discussions are based around "launching shows featuring match clips of this summer's Club World Cup." Lineker's Goalhanger Productions company are reportedly leading the talks with DAZN, who hold global rights to the tournament. Episodes of The Rest is Football were previously available on BBC Sounds after Goalhanger signed a one-year deal with the Beeb last November. Following Lineker's departure, future episodes will not be streamed on the platform. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The outlet also claims TV insiders believe Lineker moving to a rival such as ITV or Sky Sports is "highly unlikely." Any success this summer with the Club World Cup could see The Rest is Football return for extended World Cup episodes in 2026. Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he's quitting BBC next week Lineker faced a huge backlash after he re-posted a video last week which criticised Zionism and included an illustration of a rat. The Three Lions legend agreed to leave the BBC for good and apologised unreservedly in a video message on Monday. The 64-year-old said in the clip: "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."
Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Podcasts, ITV, Fox? Gary Lineker transfer speculation swirls after BBC exit
It is a scenario straight from the footballing world. A public falling out, leading to a star player becoming a free agent. From the moment Gary Lineker 's hastened departure from the BBC was announced this week, after he apologised for amplifying a social media post with anti-Semitic connotations, speculation began over his next move. In truth, however, the 64-year-old had already been thinking about his plans beyond the broadcaster. This week, industry insiders have been wondering whether the BBC's highest-paid presenter could be the subject of an audacious bid by a rival or be sought after by an overseas network. But Lineker could be working closely with another broadcaster as soon as this summer. Having navigated one transformation, from goal poacher to trusted anchor, the presenter is now free to complete another – from a face of the established media to a streamer challenging the old guard. In a sign he is ready to embrace the role of media disrupter, talks are taking place that could lead to his podcast, The Rest is Football, launching shows featuring match clips of this summer's Club World Cup, whose participants include Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. His Goalhanger Productions company is discussing the idea with Dazn, the global rights holder for the tournament, which kicks off next month. READ MORE It is not just his platform of choice that is changing after his BBC departure. While Lineker's on-screen draw has always been a streak of cheekiness, in the podcast he and his regular Match of the Day sparring partners Alan Shearer and Micah Richards take a more irreverent – and sweary – tone. Lineker caused headlines during last year's Euros by describing an England performance as 's**t' in one episode. By this summer, he will be fully unleashed from the BBC's strictures. The potential deal indicates the ambitions of Lineker and Goalhanger Productions, the extraordinarily successful podcast company he cofounded, which oversees titles including The Rest is History and The Rest is Politics. Cracking the US, where the Club World Cup is taking place, is a priority. Lineker has previously made clear that podcasting is where he sees his post-BBC future. It also tees up next year's World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. While he is no longer taking on presenting duties for the BBC, there is obvious scope for The Rest is Football live-streams to conduct instant post-match analysis. Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker outside his home in London. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA Wire 'We're keen to take a similar approach to what we did around the [2024] Euros, with The Rest is Football going out more regularly across the tournament,' said a Goalhanger representative. 'We'll certainly be covering the World Cup, though no production plans have been finalised yet.' Unsurprisingly, Lineker has been cutting back on his commitments this week. He was said to be genuinely devastated by what he admitted was a serious error – reposting a video about Zionism that used a rat emoji, echoing a depiction of Jewish people used in Nazi Germany. He deleted the post and apologised the next day, but anger had already built within the BBC among staff and bosses. With his social media activity having caused repeated heat for the corporation, both sides agreed enough was enough. Lineker was due to make a starring appearance at a podcast conference in central London on Thursday but pulled out. While he has already had offers of new projects of various kinds, friends said his immediate concerns were to take time out and prepare for an important family wedding. It will not be until the summer that he sits down to think about a firmer, longer-term plan. But that has not stopped speculation within the TV world about a big-money transfer. Some things can be ruled out. He will not be switching to cookery programmes, a previous offer from the BBC that he found easy to resist. He would come to any new broadcaster with the baggage of various skirmishes over political impartiality, quite apart from this week's incident. But his status as a trusted screen presence is well established. Match of the Day has performed well under Lineker's reign. While viewer numbers have declined as media habits have changed, its audience share has grown from 20 per cent in 2002 to 29 per cent in 2025, according to the analytics company Digital-i. The show's average audience so far this year has been 2.3 million and it has held pretty steady since the Covid pandemic. So is there any chance Lineker will be targeted by a traditional BBC rival? The obvious post would be heading ITV's World Cup coverage, but most industry figures who spoke to the Guardian believe that highly unlikely. The channel has invested in Mark Pougatch, its lead football anchor. In practice, parachuting Lineker in would involve putting 'a lot of noses out of joint' at the broadcaster, said one industry old hand, adding: 'There'd be a mutiny.' Even those who consider it a possibility regard it as unlikely. 'I'd say about a 10 per cent chance,' said one television insider. Another gave it less credence: 'No chance.' Sky Sports shows the most Premier League games by far, and spends a lot of money for those rights. Industry figures said it ran a tight ship in terms of its team. 'You can almost be a bit too big to fit into another organisation,' said one figure in football broadcasting. Some have speculated that an overseas broadcaster such as Fox in the US may be a more likely home, where Lineker's social media history would be less of a concern. But those who have worked with him say he enjoyed working for a prominent UK broadcaster. 'Gary likes being with one of the main players,' said one former colleague, adding that the presenter paid close attention to how the BBC rated against ITV during major football tournaments. The real decision, say some who know him, will come down to how he feels after so many years at the BBC and bruising encounters with the media. 'It's up to him,' said one. 'I'm not sure that he would jump at just anything. He's very close to his boys and that's very important to him. It would have to suit Gary and I think he'll probably take some time out anyway.' Another former colleague agreed. 'I'm a big fan of Gary, who developed from an average presenter to a star,' they said. 'But he might decide to have a different life.' – Guardian
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gary Lineker 'in talks over new TV job' which could see him return to screens NEXT MONTH after the BBC axed him
Gary Lineker is reportedly in talks with another broadcaster which could see the presenter return to TV next month, after he was axed by the BBC. Lineker was axed following an Instagram post about Zionism featuring a rat that ignited an antisemitism row. The 64-year-old apologised again earlier this week, and admitted his exit is 'the responsible course of action'. He will present his final Match of the Day on Sunday after 26 years in the job - and will leave without a payoff from his £1.4million-a-year salary, MailOnline understands. Lineker could reportedly make a swift return to screens, with the presenter's Goalhanger Productions in talks over a deal with DAZN, according to the Guardian. The report claims talks are ongoing over Lineker's podcast, The Rest is Football, being featured as part of the streaming service's coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup. It is claimed The Rest is Football could launch shows featuring matches from the tournament. The Premier League is represented by Chelsea and Man City at the tournament, which will kick off in the United States next month. The report added that Lineker's company could expand content with DAZN for the World Cup next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including the potential for instant post-match analysis. 'We're keen to take a similar approach to what we did around the [2024] Euros, with The Rest is Football going out more regularly across the tournament,' said a Goalhanger representative told The Guardian. 'We'll certainly be covering the World Cup, though no production plans have been finalised yet.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Podcasts, ITV, Fox? Gary Lineker transfer speculation swirls after BBC exit
It is a scenario straight from the footballing world. A public falling out, leading to a star player becoming a free agent. From the moment Gary Lineker's hastened departure from the BBC was announced this week, after he apologised for amplifying a social media post with antisemitic connotations, speculation began over his next move. In truth, however, the 64-year-old had already been thinking about his plans beyond the broadcaster. This week, industry insiders have been wondering whether the BBC's highest-paid presenter could be the subject of an audacious bid by a rival or be sought after by an overseas network. But Lineker could be working closely with another broadcaster as soon as this summer. Having navigated one transformation, from goal poacher to trusted anchor, the presenter is now free to complete another – from a face of the established media to a streamer challenging the old guard. In a sign he is ready to embrace the role of media disruptor, talks are taking place that could lead to his podcast, The Rest is Football, launching shows featuring match clips of this summer's Club World Cup, whose participants include Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. His Goalhanger Productions company is discussing the idea with Dazn, the global rights holder for the tournament, which kicks off next month. It is not just his platform of choice that is changing after his BBC departure. While Lineker's on-screen draw has always been a streak of cheekiness, in the podcast he and his regular Match of the Day sparring partners Alan Shearer and Micah Richards take a more irreverent – and sweary – tone. Lineker caused headlines during last year's Euros by describing an England performance as 'shit' in one episode. By this summer, he will be fully unleashed from the BBC's strictures. The potential deal indicates the ambitions of Lineker and Goalhanger Productions, the extraordinarily successful podcast company he co-founded, which oversees titles including The Rest is History and The Rest is Politics. Cracking the US, where the Club World Cup is taking place, is a priority. Lineker has previously made clear that podcasting is where he sees his post-BBC future. It also tees up next year's World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. While he is no longer taking on presenting duties for the BBC, there is obvious scope for The Rest is Football livestreams to conduct instant post-match analysis. 'We're keen to take a similar approach to what we did around the [2024] Euros, with The Rest is Football going out more regularly across the tournament,' said a Goalhanger representative. 'We'll certainly be covering the World Cup, though no production plans have been finalised yet.' Unsurprisingly, Lineker has been cutting back on his commitments this week. He was said to be genuinely devastated by what he admitted was a serious error – reposting a video about Zionism that used a rat emoji, echoing a depiction of Jewish people used in Nazi Germany. He deleted the post and apologised the next day, but anger had already built within the BBC among staff and bosses. With his social media activity having caused repeated heat for the corporation, both sides agreed enough was enough. Lineker was due to make a starring appearance at a podcast conference in central London on Thursday but pulled out. While he has already had offers of new projects of various kinds, friends said his immediate concerns were to take time out and prepare for an important family wedding. It will not be until the summer that he sits down to think about a firmer, longer-term plan. But that has not stopped speculation within the TV world about a big-money transfer. Some things can be ruled out. He will not be switching to cookery programmes, a previous offer from the BBC that he found easy to resist. He would come to any new broadcaster with the baggage of various skirmishes over political impartiality, quite apart from this week's incident. But his status as a trusted screen presence is well established. Match of the Day has performed well under Lineker's reign. While viewer numbers have declined as media habits have changed, its audience share has grown from 20% in 2002 to 29% in 2025, according to the analytics company Digital-i. The show's average audience so far this year has been 2.3 million and it has held pretty steady since the Covid pandemic. Related: Gary Lineker was once my rival. I feel no shame in saying I was beaten by the best So is there any chance Lineker will be targeted by a traditional BBC rival? The obvious post would be heading ITV's World Cup coverage, but most industry figures who spoke to the Guardian believe that highly unlikely. The channel has invested in Mark Pougatch, its lead football anchor. In practice, parachuting Lineker in would involve putting 'a lot of noses out of joint' at the broadcaster, said one industry old hand, adding: 'There'd be a mutiny.' Even those who consider it a possibility regard it as unlikely. 'I'd say about a 10% chance,' said one television insider. Another gave it less credence: 'No chance.' Sky Sports shows the most Premier League games by far, and spends a lot of money for those rights. Industry figures said it ran a tight ship in terms of its team. 'You can almost be a bit too big to fit into another organisation,' said one figure in football broadcasting. Some have speculated that an overseas broadcaster such as Fox in the US may be a more likely home, where Lineker's social media history would be less of a concern. But those who have worked with him say he enjoyed working for a prominent UK broadcaster. 'Gary likes being with one of the main players,' said one former colleague, adding that the presenter paid close attention to how the BBC rated against ITV during major football tournaments. The real decision, say some who know him, will come down to how he feels after so many years at the BBC and bruising encounters with the media. 'It's up to him,' said one. 'I'm not sure that he would jump at just anything. He's very close to his boys and that's very important to him. It would have to suit Gary and I think he'll probably take some time out anyway.' Another former colleague agreed. 'I'm a big fan of Gary, who developed from an average presenter to a star,' they said. 'But he might decide to have a different life.'
