Gary Lineker’s cheeky dig at BBC highlight of entertaining ITV guest appearance

Gary Lineker, the broadcasting titan who dramatically parted ways with the BBC last year, made a sensational guest appearance on ITV 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage yesterday, delivering a characteristically cheeky dig at his former employer. Kicking off his segment with a wry, 'Another day, another game, another channel,' Lineker playfully attempted to take over hosting duties from Laura Woods, who swiftly, and comically, reclaimed her role, prompting Lineker to quip, 'Sorry, sorry. Old habits!' The cameo comes just over a year after Lineker's high-profile departure from the BBC in May 2025, stemming from a dispute over social media impartiality and a subsequent antisemitism row, which ended his 26-year tenure on 'Match of the Day'. His move to ITV also highlighted the sharp contrast in studio choices for this World Cup, with Lineker praising ITV 'real' New York City rooftop setup overlooking the skyline, a pointed jab at the BBC much-discussed 'green box' studio in Salford, England. This move has clearly intensified the fierce ratings battle, where ITV has already taken an early lead in viewership for the tournament's first week. Lineker's appearance signals a clear broadening of his post-BBC media empire, which already includes his popular 'The Rest is Football' podcast on Netflix, conveniently recorded from a New York City base. It underscores a growing trend where top talent in sports broadcasting are no longer exclusively tied to traditional networks, exploring diverse platforms and leveraging their personal brands to shape the evolving landscape of sports commentary. Expect more unexpected moves from influential personalities as competition for viewer attention heats up.