18 March 2023 , 20:52
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Gary Lineker was back where he belongs today – presenting the football on the telly. OK, it wasn’t Match of the Day, but that’ll come.
Eight days since he was “stood down”, he’s now back on screen.
It was an absurd episode which saw him punished for a minor act of humanity and compassion.
But today, he was back where he belonged – and we are all glad to see him there.
None of us more than Rasheed Baluch, a refugee who stayed with Lineker for 20 days a couple of years ago.
Woman who fled dangerous Iran watched 16 people drown in dinghy disaster
Today, Rasheed tells us of his happiness that his friend is back at work.
And he shares a glimpse of living with the former England striker.
Often, people accuse others who air their views on social media of making empty gestures, or “virtue signalling”.
Gary Lineker with refugee RasheedWhat Rasheed tells us is that Lineker backs up those sentiments he shares with actions.
The young law student from Pakistan explains how the TV star was eager to learn of his struggles.
They cooked for each other, swapped stories, and learned about each other’s culture.
And it was an experience Rasheed has kept with him, so he was keen to praise his friend.
Rasheed says: “When Gary has come forward to defend humanity, it should be a point of pride for the British public.”
We are proud. And we are pleased that he is back on the box.
A tiny little part of the world is right again.
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Priceless safety
Martyn Hett died in the Manchester Arena bombing of 2017.
Now, his mum is calling for a 50p levy on ticket prices that would be used to improve security at venues.
It would be a fitting tribute to Martin, a young man among 22 innocents who died in that act of barbarism.
Concert-going is an expensive business but you can’t put a price on safety.
And, if you have to, then 50p does not seem too much to ask if we are all going to get home safely.
Martyn Hett with his mum Figen Murray (Figen Murray)Swift 3 hours
Three hours long, God knows how many costume changes and 44 tracks.
All of it killer, says our showbiz supremo, and no filler.
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And if you get a bad back sitting there watching the marathon show?
Just, you know, Shake it Off...