Gary Lineker was emotional as he recalled how the support of Ian Wright and Alan Shearer left him ‘sobbing’ following his suspension from the BBC. The former England captain was controversially pulled from Match of the Day back in 2023, following a post on social media.

It came after he had posted on Twitter comparing the Government’s plans to ban immigrants arriving on small boats from staying in Britain to ‘1930s Germany.’ The suspension prompted a show of support from pundits Wright and Shearer, as well as commentators.

The show of defiance led to the show going out without any punditry or analysis. The suspension was lifted in time for the next show, with BBC Director General Tim Davie apologising for the decision.

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Recalling the situation, Lineker told LBC: “I had a group chat with Alan Shearer and Ian Wright. I said on that group chat, ‘I’ve got a feeling they’re gonna stand me down on Saturday night’.

“And Wrighty said, ‘If they do that, I’m not doing the show’. And it happened to be that Alan and Wrighty were going to do the show on Saturday night.

“And it’s one thing saying that, but to down tools for someone else’s cause – that doesn’t happen.

“It was Friday afternoon, I got the message that they were going to drop me.

"Within half an hour, Ian Wright tweeted that he wouldn’t be doing the show. And I went, ‘Oh my God. Wow!'”

Becoming emotional, he added: “I went a bit, as I am now whenever I think about it.

“And then 20 minutes later, Shearer did the same. And I was in the back of a cab by this stage with my mate and I was sobbing. Absolutely sobbing. That support…”

Lineker ended his 26 years as host of Match of the Day at the end of last season, with his final show coming back in May.

It has also been confirmed that the presenter will no longer be part of the broadcaster’s coverage of the World Cup in the summer.

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