Frank Lampard lastly will get Gary Lineker apology over jibe on BBC that went viral
Gary Lineker has issued an apology to Frank Lampard two years after inadvertently making a comment about the Coventry City manager’s thinning hair during BBC’s Euro 2024 coverage
Gary Lineker apologised to Frank Lampard two years after an unintentional jibe on the BBC(Image: James Marsh/Shutterstock)
Gary Lineker has extended an apology to Frank Lampard two years after his jibe about the Coventry City manager’s receding hairline.
The international footballer-turned-presenter was left red-faced during the BBC’s European Championships coverage two years ago when he made a comment about Lampard’s thinning hair. Now hosting his Rest is Football Podcast, in collaboration with streaming behemoth Netflix, the 65-year-old finally had the chance to make amends with the former Chelsea and England midfielder as he guested on the show. The original incident occurred during the final stages of the Three Lions’ campaign at Euro 2024 in Germany, with the broadcasters’ studio located in Berlin.
The jovial comment came as the pair shared a laugh about fans situated below the studio being able to see the backs of their heads. With the World Cup now in full swing, following opening match victories for Mexico and South Korea, the Rest is Football panel began dissecting the action and key talking points. However, before diving into their analysis, Lineker offered an olive branch to the Coventry City boss.
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He said: “It’s starting to feel like a World Cup is taking place, joining us Frank Lampard and Joe Cole alongside Alan Shearer. Good thing those fans are down on street level otherwise they’d be looking at the back of our heads, Frank..”
Lampard responded: “Have you gone there already?” Lineker proceeded to clarify: “For those who don’t know, two years ago, the last time I saw you was on your final thing, we had a camera behind us and it showed behind us.
“I was concerned that I’m thinning a little bit on the top. I was saying, ‘we don’t really want that shot do, we?’ and you [Frank Lampard] were next to me. You did that thing where you were smiling and went serious. I owe you an apology. It’s taken me two years to do it.”
Lampard was joined by former Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole alongside Alan Shearer in New York, while Micah Richards appeared via live stream, having travelled back to the United Kingdom, where he works for BBC Sport’s coverage, broadcasting live from Salford.
The former England midfielder said: “You’ve sat me between Joe and Alan, I thought that was your version of an apology. I’m fine, my day job means they’re looking at the back of my head so they let me know all the time, don’t worry.”
The incident went viral across social media and Lineker acknowledged it during the Rest is Football’s Euros coverage, saying: “I got myself in a bit of a pickle anyway, a little bit, with Frank Lampard. It’s gone a little bit viral, I feel bad. I feel bad.
“We were at the end of the game, they showed one of Germany’s goals then they cut to the celebration of the fans, in the fan park, and I said, ‘that’s behind us’. We could actually see them if it wasn’t for the big screen then they’ve got to watch the game on that screen otherwise, they’d all be looking at the back of our heads.
“I meant it about all of us, and I said, ‘we don’t really want anyone looking at your head do you, Frank?’ Obviously Frank’s slightly thinning and I’m slightly thinning in my old age a bit.
“I meant it about everyone, when it came out, it came out a big wrong. You know Frank does that thing where he smiles and doesn’t smile, Frank’s great fun and I must admit when I got back to the hotel and I saw it on social media, I went, ‘oh you f****** idiot. I feel really bad.
“I haven’t seen him since I saw it went viral.”
Two years after the episode, Lampard also revealed how Lineker contacted him with his condolences following Coventry’s loss in the Championship play-off semi-finals last season, which helped soften the disappointment.
Nearly 12 months later, he guided the Sky Blues back to the Premier League after securing the league title, ending their 25-year exile from the top flight.
