The headlines and dramas generated by his on-line views bolstered not solely his excessive celeb standing – but additionally how eager the BBC was to hold on to him.
The incident prompted a evaluation of BBC social media tips. Final September, new guidelines have been revealed for BBC flagship presenters, saying they need to be allowed to specific views on points and insurance policies, however cease wanting political campaigning.
Lineker stated the suggestions have been “all very smart”.
By February this yr, he stated he was utilizing X much less typically, saying the platform had turn into “more and more poisonous” beneath its new proprietor, Elon Musk.
Regardless of this, he and the BBC are nonetheless parting firm, and its flagship soccer present now not has a bunch.
Lineker has loads of outdoors enterprise pursuits, together with the profitable podcast manufacturing firm he co-founded, known as Goalhanger.
It produces exhibits together with The Relaxation Is Historical past, The Relaxation Is Leisure and The Relaxation Is Politics, which received the Champion prize at this yr’s Podcast Awards.
However for the BBC, Lineker’s departure comes scorching on the heels of a number of scandals.
Former Match of the Day and The One Present host Jermaine Jeanas was sacked in August following complaints about office conduct.
In September, the BBC apologised to Amanda Abbington and upheld a few of her complaints towards her 2023 Strictly dance companion Giovanni Pernice, whereas clearing him of essentially the most severe allegations.
In the identical month, Mr Davie stated he couldn’t see disgraced ex-news presenter Huw Edwards working on the company once more.
Edwards was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 2 years, after he admitted fees of creating indecent photos of youngsters.
So the BBC is in want of some good headlines – and Lineker’s departure means it now has to seek out an distinctive host to fill his footwear, which won’t be a straightforward activity.
