BREAKING: Gary Lineker Returns To #BBC?—Gary Lineker will be back on BBC TV this weekend with no further punishment after BBC bosses backed down over his anti-Tory tweets – with the star even expected to receive an apology for being taken off air.
In an extraordinary capitulation, Director General Tim Davie has moved to secure a deal with the footballer turned broadcaster, 62, so he can present FA Cup coverage this weekend.
It marks a huge victory for the former England captain, the BBC’s highest-paid star on £1.35million a year, over the £5.3billion-a-year BBC in the crisis sparked by his anti-Tory tweets.
The row saw Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 cut down to short shows without presenters, pundits, commentators or its famous theme tune. On-screen talent including former England strikers Alan Shearer and Ian Wright refused to appear in ‘solidarity’ with Lineker. There was even a pro-Lineker protest outside the BBC in Salford.
In order to end the row, the BBC is expected to be forced into launching a review of its guidelines on impartiality for freelance presenters such as Lineker, 62.
Until today, Lineker had refused to be drawn on his future as he walked his dog in south-west London yesterday. But last night Sky News reported sources close to Lineker saying they are ‘increasingly confident’ the dispute will be resolved ‘to his satisfaction’ within the next 24 hours.
DEVELOPING STOTY…
CREDIT: DAILYMAIL.CO.UK
