- Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected]
Gary Lineker has reportedly signed a huge deal with ITV to host a brand new celebrity game show – after leaving the BBC earlier this year following an anti-semitism row.
The former Match Of The Day presenter, 64, is thought to be returning to Saturday night TV for a new show called The Box.
Touted as a replacement for Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, The Box’s format sees 12 celebrities all put in a different box where they have to face a terrifying challenge.
Already a show in Norway, The Sun reports it has been dubbed as a cross between I’m A Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins.
A source told the publication: ‘The Box is massive in Norway, and the rights were quickly sold to Denmark and now the UK.
‘ITV are really excited about it – and believe they have finally found a worthy successor to Saturday Night Takeaway.
Gary Lineker has reportedly signed a huge deal with ITV to host a brand new celebrity game show – after leaving the BBC earlier this year following an anti-semitism row
The former Match Of The Day presenter, 64, is thought to be returning to Saturday night TV for a new show called The Box
‘They have long been sniffing around Gary and just needed to find the right format for him. They’re confident they’ve found that now, and the BBC’s loss is their gain.’
The source added that filming will take place in the autumn and it will air in early spring, likely with a Saturday night slot.
Gary and ITV have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
Back in May Gary welled up as he delivered his final Match of the Day speech, thanking viewers for their ‘love and support’ and sending a message to his successors.
The presenter was visibly moved by a seven-minute tribute featuring the likes of Pep Guardiola, Virgil van Dijk, Ian Wright, and even Andrea Bocelli.
Lineker hosted his final BBC show and hinted at the start that it ‘wasn’t meant to end this way’ after being axed amid an antisemitism row.
He was axed after sharing a pro-Palestine Instagram video which featured an emoji of a rat, with critics accusing him of promoting a familiar anti-Semitic slur. He later apologised.
At the end of his last show, wrapping up his £1.4million gig, he paid tribute to the wider team, saying: ‘Let me take the opportunity to thank all the other pundits I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years.
Already a show in Norway, The Sun reports it has been dubbed as a cross between I’m A Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins
Touted as a replacement for Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (seen), The Box’s format sees 12 celebrities all put in a different box where they have to face a terrifying challenge
‘You’ve made my job so much easier.
‘It’s been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century.
‘It’s been utterly joyous.
‘I’d like to wish Gabby (Logan), Mark (Chapman), and Kelly (Cates) all the best when they sit in the chair.
‘The programme is in the best of hands.
‘My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching. Thank you for all your love and support over the years. It’s been so special. I’m sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye.’
Lineker confirmed his departure from the corporation earlier that month.
He ‘apologised unreservedly’ for his actions, saying he was unaware of the meaning of the symbol and added: ‘I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic – it goes against everything I stand for’.
He said that stepping down from his role with the BBC – where he was once the highest paid star – was ‘the responsible course of action’.
Back in May Gary welled up as he delivered his final Match of the Day speech, thanking viewers for their ‘love and support’ and sending a message to his successors
