Football fans, did you catch Gary Lineker’s cheeky moment during his ITV World Cup debut? Right off the bat, Lineker took a playful jab at his old gig, the BBC, by praising ITV’s “amazing” studio setup in New York. This comes after the BBC chose to host its coverage remotely from the UK. Talk about a dramatic entrance!
Lineker joined ITV for the Germany vs. Ivory Coast showdown, marking a new chapter since his exit from the BBC. Having switched sides, it didn’t take long for him to express delight at ITV’s stunning rooftop set, which offers breathtaking views over New York and Brooklyn. Quite a change from Salford, isn’t it?
Adding to the fun, presenter Laura Woods jumped into the banter, reminding Lineker who’s boss with a playful, “Woah, woah, woah Gary that’s my job,” as Lineker apologised with a laugh.
Lineker is also juggling his role with Netflix, where he shares his football insights daily from New York’s Times Square. The transition to ITV seems to suit him, as he praised his new surroundings and hinted at more exciting TV projects soon.
Fans are eagerly waiting for Lineker’s upcoming game show, ‘The Box’, set to hit screens this September. Clearly, the former Match of the Day star isn’t slowing down!
Amid the light-hearted quips, the BBC defends its choice to broadcast from the UK, citing financial constraints. It’ll be interesting to see how coverage contrasts evolve as the tournament heats up.
Tell us, what do you think of Lineker’s latest move? Are you Team BBC or Team ITV for World Cup coverage? Let us know in the comments! ⚽🌍📺