The Media Show: Full-time for Lineker at the BBC
How a social media post led to football presenter’s departure
The Explanation · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
Gary Lineker, a former England football captain and longtime presenter of the BBC’s football highlights programme Match of the Day, has left the corporation after sharing a controversial post on social media. His exit followed years of internal debate over his political commentary online and the BBC’s impartiality rules. Steve Ryder, former BBC sports presenter, reflects on Lineker’s elevated status within the BBC and why many saw his departure as long overdue. Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor at The Sunday Times, and football writer Henry Winter reflect on events and the evolving expectations of presenters in the social media era. Family courts in England and Wales have historically operated in secrecy, with strict limits on what journalists can report. BBC reporter Sanchia Berg describes her investigation into the case of a newborn baby found abandoned in a London park. Her courtroom reporting eventually revealed that the baby had two siblings also abandoned in previous incidents.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producers: Lisa Jenkinson and Lucy Wai Assistant producer: Emily Channon