Gary Lineker reveals he turned down ITV reality show after confirming Match of the Day exit – and shares the outrageous appearance fee demand his agent made ‘as a joke’

Gary Lineker has revealed that he turned down a reality show offer after confirming Match of the Day exit, with a “joke” appearance fee demand made.

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• Stepping down as MOTD host after 25 years
• Ready to embrace a new challenge
• Will not be entering the Big Brother house

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former England international will be stepping down as host of the BBC’s flagship Premier League highlights show at the end of the current campaign – having spent 25 years filling that seat. The 64-year-old is ready to embrace new challenges, having already branched out into the world of podcasts.

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  THE GOSSIP

  With it announced that he will be severing ties with the BBC, rival broadcasters have been making a play for Lineker. ITV – who recently paid Coleen Rooney a reported £1.5 million to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here – were keen to make a notable booking for their 2025 instalment of Celebrity Big Brother.

• WHAT LINEKER SAID

  Lineker has told podcast of how his representative responded to that approach: "My agent sent it through, and then jokingly he replied, ‘Oh, yes. Gary's fee will be £50 million!’ He did it completely as a joke, obviously. And they came back said, ‘Oh, that's a little bit…that's not within our budget’.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Quizzed on whether he may be tempted to enter the Big Brother house at some stage in the near future, Lineker added: “I can tell you now, don't bother asking.”