‘Match of the Day and BBC are better off without Gary Lineker’ READER OPINION
Express.co.uk readers have voted overwhelmingly against Gary Lineker returning to his role on the popular BBC football highlights show Match of the Day.
Gary Lineker reinstated as presenter as BBC apologises
Gary Lineker was suspended from presenting Match of the Day (MOTD) last week after he criticised the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill on Twitter. His co-presenters chose to boycott the show in “solidarity”, forcing the BBC to run the programme without punditry. Yet, a new Express.co.uk poll has shown a staggering 90 percent do not want Mr Lineker to return to his role.
Several of the BBC’s sports presenters walked out, disrupting the weekend’s football coverage on TV and Radio with MOTD and BBC Radio 5 Live’s sports schedule affected, while Football Focus, Final Score and Fighting Talk were pulled.
MOTD lasted just 20 minutes and featured short highlight clips of match footage without presenters, pundit analysis, commentary, post-match interviews or the iconic theme tune.
BBC Director General Tim Davie apologised on Monday, March 13, for the row over the weekend and said an independent review of the BBC's social media guidance would take place. He also confirmed Mr Lineker would return to host MOTD.
He said in a statement: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.”
READ MORE: Ex-BBC boss calls for Lineker to be sacked and replaced with a woman
In response, Express.co.uk ran a poll from 11am on Monday, March 13, to 3pm on Friday, March 17, asking readers: “Do you want Gary Lineker back on Match of the Day?”
A whopping 28,467 readers responded, with the overwhelming majority, 90 percent (25,519 people) answering “no” they do not want Mr Lineker to return.
Whereas 10 percent (2,750 people) said “yes” in favour of him presenting MOTD again, and 198 people said they did not know.
Hundreds of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers debated Mr Lineker’s future on the show.
The overwhelming reaction from readers was against Mr Lineker returning to present MOTD, with username Douglas.Hancock writing: “He should never be allowed to work on BBC again.”
Username bettybooboo said: “He's become too toxic and divisive now. I don't think the BBC will renew his contract when it runs out and independent companies will have advertisers and shareholders to think about before offering him something.”
Another, username williamgrenfell said: “Yes, the BBC should sack him for being biased not as if he hasn't been told off before. He thinks he can do what he wants.”
Username BJE1 added: “Lineker is part of an elite. He is disconnected from the lives of ordinary people. He needs to go.”
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Meanwhile, username susieq22 said: “He is getting a bit too big for his boots. He is too opinionated, I think it’s time for fresh blood.”
And username In the bag said: “This was a perfect opportunity to get some fresh blood presenting the programme.”
Other readers agreed that the walkout from Mr Lineker and his co-hosts provided an opportunity to refresh the show. Username Make.brok1 said: “No way he should be back along with all the others who backed him.”
Similarly, username sam the man said: “Simple answer no or any of the other 10 that backed him.”
Username Zippet agreed, writing: “No never, nor any of the other 10 participants of the boycott. Save the license fee payers a vast amount of money which is wasted on these people.”
Likewise, Username Oldreo said: “Replace them with young blood that care about football not politics.”
Username Doubledrd commented: “A big fat no and the same goes for them who stood by him we don’t want them back either no no no.”
Username SanjayP remarked: “MOTD and the BBC are better off without Lineker.”
And username willywonker said: “BBC missed a golden opportunity. They could have had a hat trick by getting rid of Lineker, Shearer and Wright in one foul swoop.”
Last week’s episode of MOTD received its largest audience since November with 2.58 million people watching, compared to the previous week’s 2.09 million.
Some readers praised the increased audience in their comments, with username Yorkie 74 writing: “For the first time in years, I saw some of MOTD, it's much better without the waffling presenters.”
Username itsonlyme44 said: “Whats the point of having him back on MOTD when viewing figures were higher without him?”
Username billy9660 remarked: “It will be interesting to see the viewing figures when he returns, I for one won't be watching.”
And username SoltonGris said: “People don't want to hear the views of him and his co-host opinions on football let alone anything else as evidenced by the increased viewing figures. Bin the lot of them, save the BBC and us the taxpayers a fortune and increase viewers and revenue.”
A minority of readers supported Mr Lineker’s return to his role, with username Katkyt simply writing: “YES!”
Username ValerieJackson1 said: “Welcome back Gary.”
MOTD will return on Saturday night with Mr Lineker. On Monday he tweeted: “I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost three decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.”