Gary Lineker was back in familiar territory on Saturday night, but not quite in the role viewers might expect. The former BBC presenter, who hosted Match of the Day for 26 years until his departure last May, appeared as a pundit on ITV’s World Cup coverage – and started his stint with a playful attempt to steal the show.
“Thank you very much for joining us on ITV for this one. Another day, another game, another channel,” Lineker began, staring into the camera as if he were the host. Before he could continue, Laura Woods interjected: “Gary, that’s my job!” Lineker replied with a grin: “Sorry, sorry. Old habits!”
“Gary Lineker made a light-hearted presenting cameo on ITV's World Cup coverage, joking with Laura Woods and mocking BBC's Salford studio.”
The light-hearted moment set the tone for an appearance that marked Lineker’s first return to free-to-air television since leaving the BBC. ITV had revealed him as a pundit on Friday for the Group E match between Germany and Côte d’Ivoire, but his cameo quickly became the talking point.
Lineker, now based in New York recording a daily show for Netflix and the podcast The Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, could not resist a dig at his former employer when he saw ITV’s studio backdrop – a sweeping view of Brooklyn Bridge and the East River to Manhattan. “I have been doing a show daily for Netflix, we’re in Times Square, but I did desperately want to come and see your set,” he said. “I think it’s absolutely amazing and I can confirm that it is real. What a backdrop.” The BBC has faced criticism for anchoring its own World Cup coverage from a studio in Salford, which Lineker recently branded “a green box.”
During the broadcast, ITV looked back on Lineker’s World Cup history, including winning the Golden Boot in 1986 and the Hand of God game against Argentina. He was also asked about Harry Kane drawing level with his record of 10 World Cup goals for England after Kane scored a double against Croatia on Wednesday. “I am not a violent man, but I did kick the door down! No, I was genuinely pleased for Harry,” Lineker joked. “Obviously it’s taken him an extra World Cup to do it and there is quite a lot of penalties in there, but we’ll give him that.” He added more seriously: “Harry is a way better all-round No 9 than I was. I was very much a penalty box player and Harry does it all, doesn’t he? He drops back, his passing range is fabulous and I think he is our best ever No 9.”
Lineker’s appearance is a one-off, but it is a significant coup for ITV, which has already taken an early lead in the World Cup ratings war, securing four of the five highest viewing figures during the opening week of the tournament. As Woods allowed Lineker to take the show into a break, the veteran anchor’s brief return to presenting duty was over – but his impact on ITV’s coverage had only just begun.