Gary Lineker has embarked on a new chapter in his career, taking on the role of host for ITV’s reality show ‘The Box’ after his departure from the BBC.
Gary Lineker Takes on New Role After BBC Departure
Following his exit from the BBC, Gary Lineker has secured a new presenting role in the UK.
New Reality Show ‘The Box’
Reports indicate that the broadcaster has signed Lineker to host ITV’s upcoming reality show The Box, where contestants emerge from yellow boxes in various locations to compete in unfamiliar games. The news was first reported by The Sun.
Controversial Exit from BBC
Lineker’s departure from presenting the BBC’s flagship Premier League highlights show Match of the Day was confirmed in November last year. Although he was initially set to cover the FA Cup and FIFA World Cup 2026, a controversial social media post he shared earlier this year led to an expedited exit, with his final appearance on the BBC occurring in late May.
He apologized for the post, stating he would never intentionally share an antisemitic trope. Despite being the BBC’s highest-paid presenter for eight years, with a last pay packet of £1.35M ($1.79M), he was dismissed following repeated social media controversies.
Continuing His Podcast
Since leaving the BBC, Lineker has maintained a low profile, continuing to host his podcast The Rest is Football alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. This podcast, along with others in the Rest is… franchise, is produced by Lineker’s own production company, Goalhanger Films.
ITV’s Fast-Selling Format
Lineker’s new role in The Box comes as the format has become one of the fastest-selling on the international market over the past year.
Deadline has reported extensively on international deals for the Norwegian format The Box, initially developed by Seefood TV for TV2. ITV acquired the UK rights to the show in February, and there are currently at least ten versions of the show either airing or in production.
High-Profile Entertainment Shows
This format joins a wave of high-profile entertainment shows like Destination X and The Inheritance, which have emerged following the success of The Traitors in the UK, the U.S., and other major markets.
See More ...
We’ve reached out to ITV and Lineker’s representatives for comments.
Paul Mortimer’s Departure
Lineker’s hiring coincided with the announcement of Paul Mortimer, ITV’s long-serving Director of Reality and Acquisitions, stepping down.
Mortimer joined ITV in 2012 and was instrumental in commissioning popular shows like Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire. The rebooted Love Island became a significant hit, leading to a surge in format deals for ITV Studios.
He will leave at the end of the year after overseeing the latest season of Big Brother. Future reality commissions will transition to Katie Rawcliffe, who will become Director of Entertainment, Reality, and Daytime from September.
ITV is currently searching for a new Head of Acquisitions to replace Sasha Breslau, who is moving to HBO Max. The new hire will report to Craig Morris, who becomes Director of Channels, ITVX, and Acquisitions.
Mortimer expressed his gratitude for his time at ITV, highlighting the success of Love Island and the impact of his work in improving ratings among younger audiences.
