As football fans tuned in for this week's international fixtures, one familiar face was notably absent from the screen: Gary Lineker.
On Thursday, Wales were comprehensively beaten by England in a friendly at Wembley, with goals from Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins securing a comfortable 3-0 win for Thomas Tuchel's men. For over two decades, Lineker was the face of international football coverage when it came to the Three Lions, but those days are over following his dramatic exit from the BBC earlier this year.
His abrupt departure came in May following controversy over a social media post he shared about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The post, which criticised Israel's actions, included antisemitic connotations - specifically a rat emoji - sparking widespread backlash.
Lineker later apologised, claiming he hadn't noticed the emoji and insisted he would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. Despite his apology, the BBC terminated his long-standing contract.
Originally, Lineker was expected to remain with the broadcaster until 2026, despite stepping down as Match of the Day host at the end of the 2024/25 season. However, the corporation opted to end his tenure early, citing the controversy as the final straw after a series of disputes.
Throughout his time at the BBC, Lineker frequently clashed with executives over his outspoken political views. Most notably, he was suspended in 2023 after comparing the UK government's immigration policies to those of "1930s Germany." His refusal to rein in his political commentary, despite contractual obligations to remain impartial, ultimately made his position untenable.
Since stepping away, Lineker has embraced a multifaceted new chapter, channelling his charisma and football expertise into fresh ventures that keep him firmly in the public eye. Here, we look at how the 64-year-old is reinventing himself in his post-BBC era.
One of Lineker's most prominent pursuits is his role as co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, a burgeoning media empire producing hit shows like The Rest Is Football (where he stars alongside co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards), The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics, and The Rest Is Entertainment.
The company recorded a staggering £1.4million profit last year. He founded Goalhanger Podcasts in 2019 and its series of shows have regularly topped the charts, raking in millions of listeners. According to the business, its 13 key shows amassed more than 400m audio downloads and over 85m views on YouTube across 2024.
In a significant boost, The Rest Is Football inked a deal with streaming service DAZN in June, allowing the inclusion of official match footage - such as highlights from the FIFA Club World Cup - in episodes. This multimedia enhancement elevates the podcast beyond audio-only content, positioning it as a dynamic alternative to traditional TV highlights.
Goalhanger's co-founder Tony Pastor highlighted the show's growing popularity, noting it's not just listened to but watched globally. The partnership with DAZN, meanwhile, represents Lineker's seamless transition into digital media, where he can engage fans without the constraints of broadcaster impartiality rules.
Lineker hasn't abandoned TV entirely. In August, he signed a major deal with ITV to host The Box, a new celebrity challenge-based entertainment show described as a crossover between I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and SAS: Who Dares Wins.
This marks his first television gig since leaving Match of the Day, with filming set to begin in late 2025 and the series expected to air in 2026. The show promises high-stakes challenges for famous participants - and it's understood there will be a football-themed episode of the show, taking Lineker back to his roots.
According to The Sun, two teams will be made up of local players with celebrity captains. And Lineker's presence as the show's host will tie everything together.
An insider told the publication: "Given Gary's association with the sport, the odds of a football-related task featuring on the series was always going to be high.
"The playing standard isn't quite what he's used to but having Gary's input will bring a sense of credibility to the broadcast. He's enjoyed filming the challenges so far and this one is no different, but it's much more in his comfort zone." Speculation has also swirled about potential roles in ITV's World Cup coverage, though no confirmations have emerged yet.
True to form, Lineker remains unapologetically outspoken on political and social issues on social media, continuing to spark debates on topics like immigration and global affairs. His exit from the BBC hasn't dimmed his eagerness to express himself. In fact, it's done the opposite.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Lineker scooped the Best TV Presenter award at the National Television Awards (NTAs) last month, ending Ant and Dec's remarkable 23-year winning streak in the category.
During his acceptance speech, he reflected on his post-BBC life: "I'm doing great. I'm enjoying having weekends off for the first time in my adult life, which has been great fun.
"I'm still watching loads of football, still doing the same sort of things, and I've got a new show coming up for ITV, which I start filming next week - The Box, which goes out, I think, probably next year."
On a more personal note, Lineker has opened up about his love life in recent years, revealing a shift toward contented singledom.
Back in 2021, he admitted he "can't be a***d" with dating anymore, citing a lack of interest in pursuing romantic entanglements. "I last went on a date a few months ago. Every now and again you might meet someone... but I've always found it quite difficult," he told The Sun.
"Occasionally I have a date, but then I'll go and make it clear I'm not interested. So I feel bad. I don't want to lead anyone up the garden path. It sounds selfish, but I'm really happy on my own. I've got good friends, I've got my kids, I like cooking, and I just don't want any more sleeping with someone again."
Lineker continued: "When you get a bit older, that urge fades, your testosterone levels drop. It's just not that important. I like the fun of flirting, going on dates, kissing and cooking for someone, but that's about as far as I want to take it.
"I'm not sure I'm asexual as such - no matter how old you are, a beautiful woman is a beautiful woman - but I just genuinely can't be arsed now."
Previously, he told The Times: "It's a stupid and horrible thing to say in a way, but I'm not massively into sex. I quite like flirting a little bit. Now that's all I do. But then after that... this is really being honest: It's like hard work... so I've hardly had any dates."
Lineker has been married twice. His first marriage, to the mother of his children, Michelle Cockayne, lasted 30 years. The pair tied the knot in 1986 during the height of Gary's football career, before eventually divorcing in 2006. He was also married to Danielle Bux between 2009 and 2016.