Gary Lineker makes surprise BBC appearance in unwanted return after gatecrashing interview
Gary Lineker made an unexpected return to BBC Sport on Saturday evening, bursting into the broadcaster’s coverage of England’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup quarter-final triumph over Norway.
The former Match of the Day presenter, currently in the United States fronting his Netflix podcast, interrupted Micah Richards mid-analysis of a contentious penalty decision.
Richards had been discussing referee Clement Turpin’s choice to reverse an initial spot-kick award after VAR ruled Djed Spence had initiated contact with Oscar Bobb.
Donning an England shirt, Lineker threw his arm around his podcast colleague and declared: “Definitely a penalty.”
Gary Lineker gatecrashed Micah Richards’ BBC interview to insist England deserved a penalty
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BBC
Richards appeared visibly startled by the hijacking of his segment.
The impromptu appearance marked Lineker’s return to BBC screens 13 months after his controversial departure from the corporation.
His exit was accelerated by a furore in May 2025 when he reposted an anti-Semitic rat emoji on Instagram, subsequently deleting it and issuing an apology.
The 65-year-old had been the BBC’s most prolific World Cup presenter, fronting six tournaments for the broadcaster.
This summer’s competition was originally intended as his farewell to the corporation.
Gary Lineker’s impromptu appearance was his first time on the BBC since he was axed last year
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BBC
Lineker now leads The Rest is Football podcast, produced by his company Goalhanger, which Netflix signed as a streaming programme for the tournament.
“Look who’s turned up,” remarked BBC presenter Jason Mohammad as the former England striker appeared on screen.
Lineker offered a brief greeting to his former colleagues: “Come on England, nice to see you all there.”
The 65-year-old departed as swiftly as he had arrived, prompting Wayne Rooney to fire a parting shot.
“Kit looks a bit snug there, Gaz,” the former England captain quipped, drawing attention to Lineker’s tight-fitting shirt.
The light-hearted interruption quickly gave way to more serious analysis of Thomas Tuchel’s side securing their semi-final berth through Jude Bellingham’s match-winning brace in extra time.
Lineker has already courted fresh controversy ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final showdown with Argentina.
Gary Lineker has also come under fire after referring to the Falkland Islands as the ‘Malvinas’ while discussing the prospect of England facing Argentina at the World Cup
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RESTISFOOTBALL/TIKTOKOn his podcast, the former striker referred to the Falkland Islands by their Argentine name “Malvinas” whilst discussing the historic rivalry between the two nations.
“It’s not that long ago our two countries were at war, with the Falklands or Malvinas,” Lineker said during an interview about animosities between England and Argentina.
The comment followed Argentine players being filmed singing a chant claiming the Falkland Islands as their own after their World Cup victory over Egypt.
Jude Bellingham scored twice as England reached the last four | REUTERS
Some 649 Argentine military personnel died in 1982 after invading the sovereign British Overseas Territory.
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