Following his exit from the BBC, Gary Lineker has found a new presenting UK gig.
We’ve understand the broadcaster has signed on to front ITV‘s upcoming reality show The Box, in which contestants exit yellow boxes in random locations to compete in games they know nothing about. The Sun was first to report the news.
Lineker’s exit from presenting the BBC’s flagship Premier League soccer highlights show Match of the Day was confirmed in November last year, though he was still due to present FA Cup and FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage for the broadcaster. However, after he shared a controversial post that included an emoji many considered antisemitic earlier this year, his exit was brought forward and he made his final appearance on the BBC in late May.
Lineker apologized and said he “would never consciously repost” an antisemitic trope, but having run into hot water several times over his use of social media, he was duly dismissed. He had been the BBC’s highest-paid presenter for eight years at the time, with a last pay packet of £1.35M ($1.79M).
Since leaving the BBC, Lineker has kept a low profile besides continuing to appear on his podcast The Rest is Football, which he presents with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. That show and others in the Rest is… franchise are produced by the former England soccer player’s production house, Goalhanger Films.
Lineker has now signed up to present The Box, which has been one of the fastest-selling formats on the international market over the past year.
Deadline has broken several stories on international deals for the Norwegian format, which was initially developed by Seefood TV for TV2. ITV swooped to land UK rights to the show in February, and we estimate there are at least ten version of the show either on air or in production.
The format is among a spate of high-profile entertainment shows such as Destination X and The Inheritance that have hit the market in the wake of The Traitors‘ success in the UK, the U.S. and other major territories.
We’ve reached out to ITV and Lineker’s reps for comment.
