ITV viewers were left stunned by an unexpected star's appearance as the broadcaster delivered another night of live World Cup coverage. The game on June 21 featured Belgium versus Iran at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, USA, with ITV offering an hour of build-up ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Iran's Travel Restrictions Highlighted
Iran's team has faced strict travel conditions at the World Cup, leading head coach Amir Ghalenoei to describe them as the 'most oppressed' team at the tournament. They are currently allowed to fly into the United States one day before their games and must leave the same day to return to their base in Mexico. Iran believes the team should be able to arrive two days before each match and return the day after 'to achieve optimal technical and physical preparation,' according to the BBC.
Adam Richman's Surprise Role
While the punditry panel discussed the restrictions, viewers were more focused on the appearance of Adam Richman, the former host of the culinary series Man v. Food, which aired from 2008 to 2012. Richman now appears regularly on ITV's World Cup coverage, surprising many fans. 'Omg they got the Man V Food guy on itv for the World Cup! I haven’t seen his face on tv in years,' said one viewer. Another questioned: 'Why is the Man Vs Food guy reporting on the World Cup for ITV?'
A third viewer added: 'Love watching @AdamRichman on itv covering the footie.... not the same as watching him demolish a 5lb burger though.'
Gary Lineker's ITV Debut
The previous night (June 20), ITV viewers were treated to another surprise as Gary Lineker introduced the show in his first appearance on terrestrial television since leaving the BBC last year. He joked: 'Thank you very much for joining us on ITV for this one, another day, another game, another channel… I did desperately want to come and see your set, because it’s absolutely amazing…I can confirm it is real!' He was swiftly interrupted by regular host Laura Woods in a staged exchange.
One viewer commented: 'Gary Lineker on ITV? It's like watching a former Eastenders actor turning up on Coronation Street or Emmerdale,' while another called the cameo a 'master stroke by ITV.'
