06 February 2024 , 18:12
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Gary Lineker insists he won't quit Twitter despite branded it a 'cesspit'.
The Match of the Day presenter said he would not quit the social media site because it is “very useful” in terms of promoting his shows. But he suggested that the changes made in recent times - since the platform was taken over by Elon Musk - had put him off.
And the BBC star insisted he had no plans to make political tweets in the run-up to the election - because it was not the “sensible” thing to do. Lineker, 63, said he was no longer using Twitter, now known as X, in the way he has previously - not because of the new BBC guidelines, but because of the way the “blue tick” system had changed.
“It’s always been a bit of a cesspit but it’s become increasingly toxic,” he explained. "You can’t have nuanced conversations on there any more, or debates, so I’ve stepped away from that side of things. I tweet my stuff but I don’t look at Twitter any more.”
Gary has ruled out stepping away from Twitter completely (Offside via Getty Images)He said that the social media site was now full of “vitriolic” users. “So I think for your mental health it’s quite important not to read too much of that - I don’t enjoy the experience now. I think it’s been good for me, because now I can listen to podcasts and spend more time reading than scrolling.”
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Lineker, who earns £1.3m as host of the BBC’s Saturday football highlights show, said he won’t quit X altogether because it’s a “very useful platform” adding: “The BBC love me on there because obviously I promote their shows.” Speaking to the Broadcasting Press Guild (MUST), the presenter said the huge furore over his suspension last year - after he criticised the government’s asylum policy - had been a storm in a teacup.
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“It was a shame, because I love the BBC. Let’s call it a lovers’ tiff. We’ve been together a long time and I think it was a little bit unfortunate but we’re all fine now.” And he added: “I have never, ever, ever tweeted about who I’m going to vote for, and I will continue that. I wouldn’t do that before the election anyway, I’ve always been sensible.”
He said he was a huge fan of the new BBC guidelines, which gave presenters “more leeway” when it came to expressing their opinions. “I don’t think I’m constrained,” he said. “I’m tweeting now like I’ve always tweeted. I know the guidelines inside out and the new guidelines allow you much more freedom.
“I’ve always tried to tweet sensibly. I’m not a tribal person anyway, I never have been, I just look at what I think is right and what I think is wrong.” He is currently enjoying huge success thanks to the hit podcasts being made by his company Goalhanger Productions, which include The Rest is Politics and The Rest is History.
But he said that despite producing podcasts which were generating 11million dowloads per month, he had no current plans to step down from Match of the Day. “I’ve got almost two years on my contract so it’s too early to say - but I love doing Match of the Day,” he said.
Asked what would happen to the ratings if he did leave, he quipped: “I think they would drop alarmingly.” And quizzed on whether the show would do better without him, he laughed: “Absolutely not.” He said he’s received “multiple offers” to work for other TV companies where he would earn “substantially more” but he was happy where he was. “I’m very blessed,” he acknowledged. “I’m fortunate that I love what I do.”
He said that it was “embarrassing” that his BBC salary was revealed every July and refused to say what the podcast talent earned, suggesting only that profits were shared “really generously” with the likes of Alastair Campbell and Richard Osman. But while he has now got used to his salary being revealed every summer, he suggested that the annual table of BBC presenter earnings was inaccurate because of the many presenters whose earnings were now hidden, such as Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman, because they were paid via an external production company. Lineker said: “I know lots of people that probably earn more than me and I’m absolutely delighted for them.”