Gary Lineker's brief appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage of Germany vs Ivory Coast left viewers baffled as he disappeared after just 20 minutes, prompting a wave of confusion on social media.
Surprise Cameo and Quick Exit
The former BBC pundit joined ITV's studio for the build-up but departed before kick-off, surprising audiences who expected him to remain throughout the match. Lineker left the BBC 12 months ago following social media posts that did not align with their guidelines. He now hosts The Rest Is Football podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer and is in the United States after a Netflix deal for the World Cup.
Viewer Reactions
ITV booked Lineker for a short appearance on Saturday evening, where he also promoted his upcoming show 'The Box' on the channel. After a barrage of questions, ITV returned from ads to find Lineker had vanished. One X user said: “Oh, Gary Lineker was only there for the first 20 minutes of the build-up. Won't be in the studio during the game itself. Ah well.” Another added: “Just turned on #GERCIV - Where’s Gary Lineker? He spoofed hosting & then left?” A third stated: "Wait where's Lineker gone was he only on the bit at the start or?"
Praise for ITV Coverage
Despite the confusion, many viewers praised Lineker's comments and ITV's coverage. One X account wrote: “ITV have absolutely wiped the BBC out the park in every single department for this World Cup. Gary Lineker is a real one who should've never been sacked.” Another said: “Seeing Gary Lineker on ITV today is like watching Lewis Figo go from Barca to Real. Unreal move by ITV!” A third added: “That opening segment on ITV with Gary Lineker was exceptional. The best in the business.”
Subtle Dig at BBC
Lineker's most noticeable remark appeared to be a subtle dig at the BBC during a playful exchange with lead presenter Laura Woods. When asked what he had been up to, Lineker said: "I've been doing a show daily for Netflix in Times Square but I did desperately wanted to come and see your set. I think it's absolutely amazing, and I can confirm that it's real. What a backdrop. And obviously I wanted to do TV, I haven't done it for a little while."
