'Spineless' BBC blasted by viewers after Gary Lineker flouts rules yet again

Gary Lineker is in hot water again at the BBC after he was caught flouting BBC rules. The BBC Sports presenter appeared to break BBC rules by wearing clothes from his own menswear line during the channel's Euro 2024 coverage.

The Match of the Day presenter and former England striker was spotted wearing a pale green knitted T-shirt and later a sage green jacket during England's clash with Serbia on Sunday - items that are strikingly similar to those from his Next X Gary Lineker collection.

The presenter launched his clothing line with the high street retailer in 2023 and models for the range online.

The BBC was forced to respond - but did not name Mr Lineker directly. The corporation released a statement following an uproar on social media from viewers, as the broadcaster reminded its on-screen talent about adhering to the corporation's strict clothing guidelines.

A spokesperson from the BBC conveyed to PA Media: "Presenters/contributors provide their own wardrobe and all presenters/contributors are regularly reminded of the guidelines in relation to clothing, even if they are not doing proactive promotional work."

However, the response does not go far enough for many in the UK, with several furious that their licence fee payment was going toward Mr Lineker's salary. Many said the BBC was too weak to punish the £1.35million-a-year star.

Adam Brooks, a regular panelist on GB News, tweete: "Gary Lineker has again been caught breaking BBC rules by wearing clothes that he’s paid to promote. Your licence fee goes towards his 1.4 million pound salary. His arrogance towards broadcasting rules is astounding, but he’s on the left, so gets away with it. Hypocrite."

Prior to the BBC's response, Kelvin MacKenzie, a former editor at The Sun, weighed in: "Before the England game Gary Lineker was wearing t-shirt (£16) he is contracted to on Next and then at half-time had switched to a shirt (£55) in the same GL collection. Did the BBC know that? Are BBC presenters allowed to advertise their commercial wares in this way? I think we should be told."

Jack Mendel, a journalist from City AM, tweeted: "Whether flogging his clothes or sharing his political views, Gary gets a free pass it seems."

One viewer, Noel Keane, joked about Mr Lineker's appearance on the BBC this evening, asking: "Euro 24 matches are on BBC tonight How often will Gary Lineker change his shirt?"

Another, @WilbrahamPeter, simply tweeted: "Drop the licence fee , then drop him."

@SWAM10056 referenced Mr Linker's time as the face of Walkers crips, saying: "Lineker flouts spineless BBC advertising rules by wearing own clothing line on-air. He’ll be eating a packet of Crisps next."

@happy_cruiser doubted that Mr Lineker would face any consequences, adding: "The BBC does not have the balls to sack Gary Lineker. He repeatedly breaks the rules and gets away with it. They should sack him and if they still wish his services re-employ him on a 1/4 of his current pay deal. He’s not value for money to the licence fee payer, he is over well paid."

However, others mocked the outrage, claiming that people were trying "to cancel Gary Lineker because he wore clothes".

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage took aim at the BBC during the Reform UK 'contract launch yesterday. He pledged to reform the “institutionally biased” BBC and scrap the licence fee. He attacked the licence fee as “taxation without representation” and that in a world of on-demand TV, people should not be forced to fund the “wasteful” BBC.