12 March 2023 , 13:42
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Gary Lineker was spotted walking his beloved dog Filbert ahead of a Sunday roast, as the fallout surrounding his BBC axe continues to dominate the headlines.
Lineker was forced to "step back" from presenting Match of the Day on Friday night after criticising the government's new Illegal Migration Bill and questioning their language towards refugees. His colleagues have responded by boycotting the BBC in solidarity.
The BBC were forced to air a 20-minute edition of Match of the Day on Saturday with no presenters, pundits or commentary. Sunday's edition of Match of the Day 2 will adopt a similar format, although the BBC have persuaded their commentators to return.
Rather than host Match of the Day, Lineker spent Saturday watching his boyhood club Leicester lose 3-1 at home to Chelsea. In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, the ex-footballer's son George has revealed his dad's plans for Sunday.
"He's been at Leicester today and he got a really good reaction - there were banners in support of him in the stadium," said George, speaking on Saturday. "When he comes home from the Leicester game my brother is cooking him a cottage pie."
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Lineker's dog is named Filbert after Leicester's former ground Filbert Street. On the axed presenter's plans for Sunday, George added, "Then he'll probably go to bed and maybe watch the show in the morning, before we go for a Sunday roast."
Gary Lineker was quizzed by reporters (Getty Images)
Lineker was walking his dog Filbert (Getty Images)What do you make of the BBC's crisis? Let us know in the comments below!
Lineker was taken off air by the BBC after calling the government's new legislation - which aims to to detain migrants who enter the country via illegal routes without bail or judicial review before being deported and blocked from returning - "beyond awful".
Lineker also claimed the rhetoric used by the government towards refugees was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s". That led to a backlash from right-wing political commentators and Tory MPs, who demanded Lineker was taken off air.
The BBC responded accordingly, but that only led to the likes Ian Wright and Alan Shearer refusing to appear on Match of the Day. Their show of solidarity forced the BBC to shelve Football Focus, Final Score and much of their radio coverage on Saturday.
Lineker did not comment on the ongoing saga (Getty Images)The BBC have encountered further problems on Sunday, with the Women's Super League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United at Kingsmeadow not featuring a studio presentation. Commentator Guy Mowbray also confirmed that Sunday's episode of Match of the Day 2 would be much-changed from normal.
"As yesterday, there will be no ‘normal’ MOTD(2) programme tonight. The scheduled commentary team are in full agreement with our BBC Sport colleagues. We hope that a resolution can be found ASAP," Mowbray wrote on Twitter.
The BBC's director general Tim Davie has apologised for the mess and insists he wants Lineker "back on air" as soon as possible.
"I’m sorry audiences have been affected and they haven’t got the programming," Davie told the BBC. "As a keen sports fan I know to miss programming is a real blow and I’m sorry about that.
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Tim Davie has apologised for the disruption caused to BBC Sport's schedule (BBC)"We are working very hard to resolve this situation and make sure we get output on air. Everyone wants to calmly resolve situation. Gary Lineker’s the best in the business - that’s not for debate."
According to The Independent, 'urgent talks' are now being held between Lineker and the BBC. The negotiations are said to be 'inching forward', with the broadcaster desperate to get him back to work in the coming week.
Yet Lineker is unlikely to back down from his views or apologise. "Dad is a good man, a good human, and I'm proud of him for standing by his word," George told The Mirror. "That's why he was pulled off the show - because he wouldn't apologise.
"But he will always speak up for people who don't have a voice. He is passionate about helping refugee charities... Will he go back to Match of the Day? I think so - he loves Match of the Day. But he won't ever back down on his word."
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.