11 March 2023 , 14:59
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Carol Vorderman is the latest star to come out in support of Gary Lineker.
The former Countdown brainbox, 62, posted a video which she filmed earlier today at the BBC's London headquarters.
The clip - which she urged fans to watch - shows a statue of George Orwell, along with a quote about freedom, reading "If Liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."
Speaking over the footage, she said: "So I’m at BBC HQ in London and there’s a wonderful statue of George Orwell. Look at the words, very apt at the moment."
Earlier this week, the England football legend, 62, compared language used by the Conservative party in their 'Stop the Boats' asylum policy to terminology used by Hitler's Third Reich regime - prompting BBC bosses to remove him from presenting Match Of The Day this weekend.
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Carol Vorderman visited BBC HQ todayThe dad-of-four, who works for the BBC as a freelance TV host, said the language in which their plan to 'stop the boats' was set out was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
Gary described the government's new Migration Bill as "beyond awful" after it was unveiled by home secretary Suella Braverman on Tuesday - later adding: "This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s."
He has since been made to "step away" from presenting the legendary football show, meaning that it will broadcast tonight with no punditry or commentary for the first time in its history. The BBC's other football programmes have also been replaced in the schedules as presenters down tools in solidarity with Lineker.
Carol's fans rallied to share their support, with one tweeting: "Thank you Carol for reminding us of this. George Orwell sent us a powerful message in his writing. Lest we forget"
Another said: "Exactly... where is our liberty? I bet BBC bosses walk past this every day and pay no attention to it. Whilst funding the very people trying to take it away."
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.