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ITV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Gary Lineker to host new ITV show The Box after leaving Match of the Day
Former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker said he "can't wait" to present a new ITV game show after his exit from the BBC. The former footballer, 64, who left the BBC One sports show in May, will host The Box, a new game show which will air on ITV in 2026. In the show, 10 yellow boxes house a celebrity contestant who will be transported to unknown locations, before being released to face whatever game awaits on the other side of the door. Each week two players will face The Duel, a finale in which the loser leaves the competition for good. Lineker hosted Match of The Day since 1999 until May 2 this year where he made an emotional goodbye. His early departure followed a social media row in which he reshared a post about Zionism featuring a rat, a historically an anti-semitic symbol. He made an unreserved apology in a video on social media and announcing his depature from the BBC where he was the highest-paid presenter. Lineker 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.' Katie Rawcliffe, director of entertainment, reality and daytime commissioning at ITV, said: 'Gary is the perfect fit for The Box, an entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format.' Dan Adamson, chief content officer at production company Twofour, added: '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.' The Box was first launched on TV2 in Norway in January, with the UK version being filmed later this year and will air in 2026.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
First look at Gary Lineker in new ITV role on 'unpredictable and thrilling' show
Legendary broadcaster, footballer and king of the crisps Gary Lineker will be at the helm of a new ITV show called The Box. Famously dubbed as the 'fox in the box' on the football pitch, Gary will be supervising not just one but 10 yellow boxes, each containing a celebrity contestant. They will then be whisked off to unknown locations, before being unleashed to confront whatever game lies beyond the door. The series is produced by Twofour (part of ITV Studios), and the creators of BBC's new reality competition show Destination X fronted by Gavin and Stacey's Rob Brydon. The Box is said to catapult the celebrity contestants into a show unlike any other. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter. READ MORE: Prime Video adds Luke Evans action thriller that's Fast and Furious meets John Wick READ MORE: Stumble across this coastal trail and find a castle, historic lighthouse and a cosy pub with proper food Each episode will present the celebrities with unexpected reveals, unique games, and an engaging series arc - as every week two players will face The Duel, a dramatic show finale which will see the loser exiting the competition for good. The former football player is excited to take on the new challenge of hosting the show. 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!" ITV's Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning, Katie Rawcliffe commented: "Gary is the perfect fit for The Box, an entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format." Chief Content Officer at Twofour, Dan Adamson also expressed his excitement about the project. He 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." Not only are Twofour responsible for Gary's new series and Destination X but the Emmy and BAFTA award-winning unscripted label that is part of ITV Studios, has quickly become a hub for top global travel, reality and adventure formats. These include I Kissed a Boy and I Kissed a Girl for the BBC, The Reluctant Traveller for Apple TV+, and the recently announced The Heat for ITV. First aired in Norway in January this year, The Box was conceived and produced by Seefood TV and has promptly been commissioned for a second series, with other territories following suit to secure their own versions. Meanwhile, the series will be filmed in the UK later this year and broadcast on ITV in 2026. The show is being pitched as a spiritual successor to Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. This move to ITV comes as the 64-year-old former Match of the Day presenter left the BBC earlier this year following controversy over a social media post. Lineker's emotional departure from the BBC in May saw him end his 25-year tenure on Match of the Day amid an antisemitism row. The former England striker had posted a pro-Palestinian video on Instagram that included a rat emoji, prompting criticism and accusations of promoting a harmful trope. Lineker later apologised, saying he was unaware of the symbol's connotations and added: 'I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic – it goes against everything I stand for." His final broadcast for the BBC featured a tribute montage and a visibly emotional farewell, during which Lineker said: 'It's been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It's been utterly joyous. "Thank you for all your love and support over the years.'
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Gary Lineker ‘can't wait' to host new ITV show The Box after BBC exit
The former footballer, 64, who left the BBC One sports show in May, said he was excited and 'can't wait' to host The Box. In the show, 10 yellow boxes house a celebrity contestant who will be transported to unknown locations, before being released to face whatever game awaits on the other side of the door. Each week two players will face The Duel, a finale in which the loser leaves the competition for good. Lineker, who had presented Match Of The Day since 1999, said an emotional goodbye in an early departure from the broadcaster on May 26. It followed a social media row after he shared a post about Zionism, which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. Lineker, who was the BBC's highest-paid presenter, issued an unreserved apology for the social media video he shared, which led to his early exit from the BBC. Lineker was due to host BBC Sport's coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 season. Lineker 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.' Katie Rawcliffe, director of entertainment, reality and daytime commissioning at ITV, said: 'Gary is the perfect fit for The Box, an entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format.' Dan Adamson, chief content officer at production company Twofour, added: '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.' The Box was first launched on TV2 in Norway in January this year. ITV's version of the show will be filmed in the UK later this year and air in 2026. Lineker also co-hosts The Rest Is Football podcast, which moved to internet sports streaming platform DAZN after he left the BBC.
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Gary Lineker officially signs up to 'unpredictable' new show following BBC exit
Gary Lineker is officially returning to TV – but in a radically different role to one viewers have come to expect over the years. The 64-year-old broadcaster and former footballer stepped down from the BBC earlier this year, and presented his last ever Match of the Day episode in May. During his emotional goodbye, the veteran TV host choked up as he sat alongside co-presenters and fellow former football pros Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. But after hosting the sport highlights show for 26 years, Lineker's next adventure is set to be radically different as he joins ITV's new gameshow The Box. According to ITV, 'The Box sees 10 celebrity contestants transported to unknown locations, before being released to face whatever game awaits on the other side of the door'. The synopsis continues: 'Every episode will see them face 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.' In a statement, Lineker 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.' Lineker's new show, which will air in the UK in 2026, has already been greenlit for a second season after the success of its Norwegian edition spawned several versions in other countries. The former Everton and Barcelona plater confirmed his exit from the BBC during the early months of 2025 after he shared a post to his Instagram story from the Palestine Lobby group titled 'Zionism explained in two minutes'. His repost included an illustration of a rat, which has historically been used as an antisemitic representation of Jewish people, most notably in Nazi Germany propaganda. Lineker later 'apologised unreservedly' and swiftly deleted the post from his account, saying he was unaware of the reference and that posting it had been a mistake. After the former England striker left the BBC but before joining the ITV gameshow, The Sun claimed that his prospective presenting gig on The Box would 'infuriate' his former employers. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The publication reported that The Box had been gathering steam as TV networks search for the next answer to match The Traitors' dominance – see the latest attempt, Destination X. Touted as a possible successor to Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV, The Box had apparently caused ITV to pursue Lineker for some time. More Trending The tabloid reported that ITV has been keen to snap up Lineker for some time and thinks this show, hailed as a mashup of I'm A Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins, could be just the thing. A TV source told The Sun: 'The scheduling hasn't yet been confirmed, but filming takes place in the autumn, and the series is due to air early spring. 'It looks likely to get a Saturday night slot, though, but obviously it's all still to play for.' View More » Metro contacted Gary Lineker's representatives for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Which Strictly pros are competing this year after Gorka Márquez news devastates fans? MORE: The Fortune Hotel star reveals shocking elimination bombshell after fans admit they're 'hooked' MORE: I love Mrs Brown's Boys – I'll always defend it against TV snobs
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Gary Lineker ‘can't wait' to host new ITV show The Box after BBC exit
The former footballer, 64, who left the BBC One sports show in May, said he was excited and 'can't wait' to host The Box. In the show, 10 yellow boxes house a celebrity contestant who will be transported to unknown locations, before being released to face whatever game awaits on the other side of the door. Each week two players will face The Duel, a finale in which the loser leaves the competition for good. Lineker, who had presented Match Of The Day since 1999, said an emotional goodbye in an early departure from the broadcaster on May 26. It followed a social media row after he shared a post about Zionism, which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. Lineker, who was the BBC's highest-paid presenter, issued an unreserved apology for the social media video he shared, which led to his early exit from the BBC. Lineker was due to host BBC Sport's coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 season. Lineker 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.' Katie Rawcliffe, director of entertainment, reality and daytime commissioning at ITV, said: 'Gary is the perfect fit for The Box, an entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format.' Dan Adamson, chief content officer at production company Twofour, added: '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.' The Box was first launched on TV2 in Norway in January this year. ITV's version of the show will be filmed in the UK later this year and air in 2026. Lineker also co-hosts The Rest Is Football podcast, which moved to internet sports streaming platform DAZN after he left the BBC.
