11 March 2023 , 13:53
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John Terry was not happy with David Baddiel after the comedian used his name to make light of the BBC's Match of the Day crisis.
Saturday's edition of the BBC's flagship football show will air without a studio presentation after host Gary Lineker was forced to "step back" from his position for criticising the government. Other pundits and presenters responded by boycotting the show.
As the BBC failed to find an alternative host for Match of the Day, fans on Twitter laughed about possible replacements. Three Lions singer Baddiel joked Terry should step up to the plate, but the Chelsea legend was not impressed by the comment.
"I wonder if, somewhere, John Terry is practising using an autocue," tweeted Baddiel on Friday. It is believed the joke is a reference to Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph when Terry lifted the trophy - in full kit - despite being suspended for the final.
The tweet gained almost 9,000 likes, but Terry did not find it funny. Terry responded with a clown emoji and wrote, "Don't use my name for a cheap laugh on social media!"
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Baddiel is yet to respond to Terry's reply on Friday. The row between Lineker and the BBC started after prime minister Rishi Sunak and home secretary Suella Braverman unveiled the government's controversial Illegal Migration Bill on Tuesday.
David Baddiel has made a joke about the Match of the Day crisis using John Terry's name (Getty Images)
It is believed the joke was in regards to Terry lifting the Champions League trophy in 2012 (Getty Images)What do you make of the row? Let us know in the comments below!
Lineker described the bill - which aims to detain migrants who enter the country via illegal routes without bail or judicial review before being deported and blocked from returning - as "beyond awful". He also criticised the government's rhetoric towards migrants.
Lineker's stance was backed by many, but the Conservatives and right-wing political commentators were not impressed. They called on the BBC to remove Lineker from Match of the Day, with the broadcaster following suit on Friday evening.
The response has been devastating for the BBC. Lineker's colleagues - including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer - pulled out of Match of the Day and the BBC's other football coverage on Saturday. Football Focus, Final Score and radio coverage have all been scrapped.
Lineker is yet to break his silence on his axe. He was pictured leaving his home in Barnes, London on Saturday morning. The legendary footballer was on his way to the King Power to watch his former club Leicester take on Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Lineker was quizzed by reporters as he made his way to his vehicle. "Have you had any discussions with the BBC overnight?" asked one reporter, while another wondered, "Is this the end of your BBC career?" Lineker refused to answer any of the questions.
It is unclear how this saga will play out. The BBC will find it difficult to continue their football coverage if they do not restore Lineker to his presenting role. Yet they are also under significant pressure from the Tories, which brings their impartiality into disrepute.
The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.