Gary Lineker opens up about BBC and claims it could ‘by no means be neutral’
In a new interview with Green Party leader Zack Polanski, the footballing legend claimed the Beeb couldn’t always stay neutral on everything, saying ‘it’s impossible’
Gary Lineker has claimed the BBC can’t always be impartial. The former Match of the Day host stepped away from his role with the broadcaster in May.
But in a new interview with Green Party leader Zack Polanski, he claimed the Beeb couldn’t always stay neutral on everything. Speaking on the Bold Politics With Zack Polanski podcast, Gary claimed: “It’s impossible to be impartial on everything.
“I had lots and lots of great times at the BBC. I loved the people that work there.
“I think at the top at the moment there’s probably a bit too much influence from previous governments.
“I think they probably need to look at the way that at the top of the BBC, that ultimately make the big decisions, and the influence that they have on certain things.
“But I still say that it’s the most trusted news source.” Lineker, 65, had several skirmishes with the broadcaster over a number of years.
They centred on him airing his often controversial political views on social media. He was rapped on his takedown of the government’s asylum policy in 2023, but at the time said he would continue to speak up for people with “no voice.”
The crunch came when the ex-England footballer shared a post about Zionism which featured a depiction of a rat – an anti-semitic insult.
He issued an apology at the time and said he had missed the emoji but still stepped down at the end of the 2024–25 Premier League season.
Lineker added that he texted Tim Davie after he resigned as BBC director-general last month and received a nice text back, adding: “I always liked Tim.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .
