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      in Motorsport

      I fell in love on Netflix reality TV show Too Hot To Handle – now I am focused on returning to motor racing

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      HANDSOME racing driver turned reality TV star Seb Melrose is ready to return to motorsport.The 25-year-old, who last appeared at the Ginetta GT4 Supercup in 2021, found a new audience when he starred on Netflix hit Too Hot To Handle.
      Seb Melrose is keen to return to motor racing after his stint on reality TV
      Handsome Melrose came runner-up with stunning LA girl Kayla RichartCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      He came runner-up with now ‘longterm’ love Kayla Richart – scoring plenty of fans and admirers, as well as earning a huge social media following.
      That makes Melrose a more attractive proposition for manufacturers now, as they look to bring sponsors in and he looks for a drive this season.
      While, with his fame affording him a subsidised seat, it’s realistic for the Scottish star to become a gentleman driver who pays for his seat.
      Melrose told SunSport: “I am trying to sort out a few deals – I really want to get back into racing cars.
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      “I’ve had a few chats with touring car, so we will see where that takes us.
      “But, for the first time ever, money is no longer the issue. It’s about finding the drive.
      “I’ve found different opportunities with it now.
      “Since the age of 16, I always wanted to become a racing driver and work my way up to becoming a works driver for a big manufacturer.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “That’s kind of changed now. I feel there’s more of an opportunity to earn and to keep your life fairly free. So you could be almost like a gentleman driver – without sounding like an old guy!
      “I’ve got the opportunity now to not race as a full-on professional, but be a professional driver while keeping my contracts wide open.
      “I’ve no longer got that pressure that I need to find a manufacturer and get paid.
      “Because of my social media numbers now, the growth and engagement I can provide to manufacturers, they have subsidised a lot of the seats for me.
      “Racing is cheaper than it has ever been. I don’t mind paying, and now I can pay for a seat that is subsidised.”
      Thanks to his popularity on Too Hot To Handle, Melrose has over 500,000 followers on Instagram.
      The godson of three-time Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti also receives plenty of paid partnerships on social media. It makes him a far more attractive prospect to hire.
      He revealed: “I’m not going to talk for anyone, everyone is on their own journey. For me, specifically, for what I can now provide to sponsors and teams is something that other drivers can’t.
      Now with a strong Instagram following, Melrose is a huge catch for manufacturersCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      Thanks to his new found fame, Melrose enjoys a glam lifeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      “I am still a quick driver. I can still peddle a car. So not only will they get someone who has the ability to get on the podium, they also get someone who can market their sponsors.
      “When it came to the crunch of chasing my dream in racing or going on a reality TV show, I thought I could actually combine the two.
      “Thankfully, it paid off. I’ve got the numbers now and I came across well, but it could easily have gone south.
      “I could have been hated, and the sponsors might not have wanted to associate with me.”
      Despite flirting with celebrity, Melrose admitted he missed motor racing.
      He eloquently explained what it means to him: “It’s an escape for reality.
      “You get the helmet on and the belt and strapped in, you’re not thinking about anything else, but what you’ve got to do on that race track at any given time.
      “It’s almost like a form of meditation for me now.
      Melrose appeared on Too Hot To Handle’s recent fourth season
      Kayla Richart stole the heart of Melrose on the show
      “You are still faced with other types of stress, performing and timings, but you kind of go into another world and all you care about is your car and what is going on around you.”
      Melrose won the charms of stunning LA beauty Kayla, 22, despite plenty of competition on Too Hot To Handle.
      In a way, he joked, it was almost like the sport he competes in.
      “It was competitive, just like racing,” he said.
      “Everyone was competing for the same girl, Kayla. She was the girl I fancied and I felt there was a connection there, just like the other guys.
      “But I wasn’t biggest guy there, I didn’t have the biggest muscles, and wasn’t the tallest. I probably had the worst engine out of the lot, but I still managed to leave everyone else behind.
      Kayla is looking forward to seeing Melrose race againCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      Melrose is ready for a sport in touring carCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      “I couldn’t have had a better experience. I came out with Kayla, who is someone I view as longterm.”
      And in Kayla, Melrose will have his No1 supporter cheering him on from the stands when he returns to the track.
      “She’s looking forward to me racing just as much as I am,” Melrose added.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Kayla’s nervous about it, and she would like me to race in the States. I’ve got a couple of options this season, so we will see.
      “But this year I am ready for it, I want to get out there and show people what I can do and have fun doing it.” More

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      in Soccer

      Gary Lineker REPLACED as host for today’s BBC FA Cup coverage after illness and ‘deteriorating overnight’

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      GARY LINEKER will NOT present the BBC’s FA Cup coverage today because he is struggling with illness.The host, who made his return to screens yesterday following his BBC Twitter row, struggled with his voice during the Beeb’s coverage of Manchester City vs Burnley and “deteriorated overnight”.
      Gary Lineker returned to BBC screens yesterdayCredit: PA
      Lineker, 62, had been due to host Brighton’s clash with League Two Grimsby Town this afternoon.
      But the BBC have confirmed that he will be replaced by Football Focus presenter Alex Scott.
      In a statement this morning, they confirmed: “Due to illness, we’ve got a line-up change for today’s live FA Cup coverage of Brighton v Grimsby on BBC One.
      “As viewers will have noticed yesterday, Gary Lineker was struggling with his voice and unfortunately it has deteriorated overnight.
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER
      “Alex Scott will be hosting instead.”
      Sun columnist Piers Morgan quickly made light of the situation, joking on Twitter: “BREAKING: Lineker’s free speech cancelled again.”
      Yesterday’s broadcast marked Lineker’s first appearance on terrestrial telly since he was suspended after likening the language used in the government’s introduction of their controversial Illegal Migration Bill to that of 1930s Germany.
      Ahead of his return, Lineker made a cheeky reference to the situation on his Twitter page.
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      He wrote: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football.”
      Lineker’s removal from Match of the Day sparked a mutiny within BBC Sport.
      Regular analysts and presenters including Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in, plunging the show into crisis.
      The result was a 20 minute broadcast devoid of a host, analysis, commentary or interviews.
      Due to curiosity of what the decimated show would look like, viewing figures soared by 500,000 to 2.58million.
      But normal service has now been resumed after Lineker and the Beeb were able to settle their differences.
      With Lineker hosting yesterday’s live match coverage, Mark Chapman presented Match of the Day.
      Lineker posted a snap of himself alongside Shearer and Richards in the BBC’s Etihad Stadium studio yesterday.
      He wrote: “Teammates. 🙌🏻 @alanshearer @MicahRichards.”
      Last night Shearer said: “I want to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.
      “It was a really difficult situation for all concerned.
      “For no fault of their own some great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It’s good to get back to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
      And Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
      Lineker posed alongside MOTD pals Alan Shearer and Micah Richards in the Beeb’s Etihad Stadium studioCredit: TWITTER/GARY LINEKER More

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      in Soccer

      Georgina Rodriguez reveals she had 3 miscarriages before tragic death of baby with Cristiano Ronaldo in new Netflix show

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      GEORGINA Rodriguez will reveal that she suffered three miscarriages before the devastating loss of her baby boy last year in her new Netflix show.The girlfriend of Cristiano Ronaldo is starring in a new Netflix series about her life after the first series premiered last year.
      Georgina Rodriguez has opened up about her tragic miscarriages
      The girlfriend of Cristiano Ronaldo stars in a new Netflix series about her life
      Georgina, a 29-year-old influencer, is seen breaking down in tears in a trailer Netflix released last week as she relived the heartbreak moment she lost one of her twins during childbirth.
      She will make the shock admission in the first episode of the new series of I Am Georgina, according to Spanish news website El Espanol.
      Her daughter Bella Esmeralda with Cristiano Ronaldo was born healthy in April last year at a hospital in Manchester but her male twin sibling Angel died.
      Georgina revealed in the first episode of the second series, which premieres on March 24: “Every time I went to the gynaecologist’s at night I had nightmares because I was worried about what position they would be in, what the delivery would be like, if it would be a caesarean section.
      “I was very afraid at each ultrasound, I felt very tense because I’d had three previous miscarriages and I came home in pieces.”
      She described her visits to the gynaecologist as “horrible, because I was always vomiting”.
      The Argentinian-born Spaniard is also set to reveal she didn’t immediately tell her other children Angel had not survived and told them he would be born a little later than his sister, according to El Español.
      She said: “They were born on Easter Monday. The most-awaited moment arrives and your heart stops.
      Most read in Football
      “Bella was born strong and healthy but a piece of my heart shattered.
      “You ask yourself how you’re going to carry on. I wasn’t prepared to accept or recognise what had happened to me and I wasn’t ready to tell my children about it.
      “As I still had a belly, I told them that Angel was still going to wait a bit to be born.
      “Until Cris told them that Angel was in Heaven. That was a dose of reality.”
      Between leaving hospital Georgina’s sister Ivana helped by removing the cot, Moses cradle and teddy bear the influencer had prepared for Angel at the Cheshire home she shared with Cristiano before the couple’s move to Saudi Arabia.
      Admitting she has yet to come to terms with her loss, Georgina will admit: “I will never be the same person again.
      “Every time I look at Bella I ask myself, ‘Would Angel be like that?
      “The truth is I feel I am not ready to think about it, as if I still haven’t accepted it. 
      “I always say to my children, ‘Your little brother is in the sky, he doesn’t want to walk, he wants to fly. Every time you look at the sky, think of him.'”
      Thanking her footballer partner for his “unconditional support and love” Georgina adds in the first episode: “He has played a really important role.
      “Gods put the right people in your path.”
      She said of her surviving twin daughter, one of two children she has with Cristiano: “She has managed to fill to some extent that hole that is present in my life.
      “When she’s older and we tell her what happened, she will be very proud of what she has achieved.”
      Georgina cries in the official trailer released last week, which didn’t contain any of the latest admissions revealed by the Spanish press, as she recalls last April’s trauma.
      She admits, as an adorable photo flashes up on the screen of her lying in bed in hospital with Bella Esmeralda on her chest: “Life is hard, life goes on.
      “I have reasons to move on and be strong.”
      Praising her footballer partner for helping her get through the darkest period in their life together, she adds: “Cris really encouraged me to continue with my agenda. He said: ‘Gio, get on with your life, it’ll do you good.'”
      She went on: “My priority right now is my family and my children. I’m so happy and thankful.”
      The trailer also shows moments from Georgina’s 28th birthday that will feature in the show, such as when Cristiano spent thousands of pounds on a light and laser show projected on Dubai’s famous Burj Khalifa tower.
      Georgina admits: “It’s really hard to surprise me” as the light and laser show is played out before admitting: “Cristiano is very thoughtful, really good to me. Cristiano’s the love of my life.”
      In another part of the show, she meets Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalia, who admits she was a fan of the first series of ‘I Am Georgina’ released on the influencer’s 28th birthday in January last year after hugging her and saying: “I watch your show. I love it.”
      Georgina is also filmed getting a tattoo done which is thought to be the inking from last August in memory of the child she lost.
      The former shop worker, who now has 47 million followers on Instagram, is filmed saying: “I need to be working” during the trailer for her new series.
      Read More on The Sun
      She also confesses: “I feel like a super mum, and superwoman” before adding alongside footage of her dancing romantically with Cristiano: “I’m a mother, I’m a sister, I’m a friend, I’m a woman, I’m Georgina.”
      The first series of Georgina’s popular Netflix show premiered in 190 countries around the world last year. More

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      in Soccer

      Fans blast Gary Lineker as he returns to screens WITHOUT apologising for ‘disgraceful’ Nazi tweet after BBC climbdown

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      FANS are divided after Gary Lineker returned to screens WITHOUT apologising for his “disgraceful” Nazi tweet.The former footie star, 62, was back on TV last night hosting live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley.
      Lineker was back on TV last night for the first time since his tweet rowCredit: Getty
      Lineker returned to TV tonight alongside Alan Shearer and Micah RichardsCredit: BBC
      He appeared alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards for the first time since the Twitter scandal which saw him suspended.
      The highest paid BBC pundit was taken off air over his criticism of Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan.
      His tweet – in which he likened the Illegal Migration Bill to “Germany in the ’30s” – was blasted as “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful” by MPs.
      And now fans have piled in, with some calling for Lineker to step down after he failed to apologise.
      READ MORE ON LINEKER
      One person said: “Hypocrite. Please quit,” while another added: “Will definitely not be watching.”
      Someone else wrote: “Well stick to football then and leave the politics to the politicians.”
      Another added: “You don’t just stick to football and that’s the problem.”
      “Time for a change I feel. Bring in some new faces. Panel have had their day unfortunately in my eyes,” someone else said.
      Most read in Football
      Fans also said the BBC’s embarrassing U-turn 72 hours after taking Lineker off air may spell trouble for the cooperation.
      One viewer said: “Lineker hammered the final nail home in the BBC’s coffin.
      “Well done Gary – the license fee is now toast.”
      The presenter, on £1.35million a year was blasted for his criticism of Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan.
      He hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans people who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain, on Twitter.
      Lineker wrote: “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s, and I’m out of order?”
      The bill will see migrants detained and removed to their home country, or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Tory MPs slammed the tweet as “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful”, while Downing Street said his language was “not acceptable and disappointing to see”.
      Energy secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter: “As a Jewish cabinet minister I need no lessons about 1930s Germany from Gary Lineker.
      “Like Gary, I am hosting refugees in my own home, but unlike Gary, I do not believe it is either right or moral to tolerate criminal gangs trafficking vulnerable people across the channel.”
      Home secretary Suella Braverman branded the TV presenter’s comments “irresponsible” and immigration minister Robert Jenrick said he was “out of step with the British public”.
      Following Lineker’s tweet, the BBC “decided that [Lineker] will step back from presenting Match of the Day” after the post was found to have breached the BBC’s strict impartiality rules.
      Lineker’s co-hosts on the show, Ian Wright and Shearer, also pulled out in support if their colleague.
      But the BBC later confirmed Lineker WILL return to the channel in an embarrassing climbdown 72 hours later.
      Director General Tim Davie apologised for the “difficult period” for staff, presenters and audiences after his embarrassing climbdown.
      Lineker’s failure to say sorry himself also attracted criticism.
      He today marked his return to the popular TV show by tweeting a picture of him and teammates Shearer and Micah Richards.
      And it came minutes after Lineker posted a selfie with the caption: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football.”
      Opening the show, Lineker told viewers how thrilled he was to be back at his “Saturday job”.
      And Shearer – who also pulled out in solidarity with Lineker – apologised to fans for missing last week’s show.
      He said: “I want to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.
      “It was a really difficult situation for all concerned.
      “For no fault of their own some great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation.
      “It’s good to get back  to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
      Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
      Since the controversy exploded, the BBC have come under fire for their handling of the situation.
      Mr Davie said in a statement the corporation has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines and apologised for the impartiality row.
      He described the BBC’s commitment to freedom of expression and impartiality as a “difficult balancing act”.
      He added: “The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised.
      “I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.”
      Lineker is reportedly yet to confirm his role presenting the BBC’s Champions League coverage when it kicks off next year.
      This comes as rival, BT Sport, is said to be targeting Lineker for their TNT Sports next season, according to Mail Online.
      Read More on The Sun
      Yesterday saw the arrival of the Home Secretary in Rwanda, to meet with President Paul Kagame and her counterpart Vincent Biruta, to discuss the plan. More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Upset’ Alan Shearer breaks silence on Gary Lineker tweet row after pulling out of MoTD as pair reunite on BBC

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      AN “upset” Alan Shearer broke his silence on Gary Lineker’s tweet row after pulling out of Match of The Day.The teammate and co-host was back with Lineker, 62, last night on the BBC to bring viewers live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley.
      Gary Lineker returned to TV to host the FA Cup coverageCredit: BBC
      Shearer told how ‘upset’ he was about not being on last week’s show
      The pundit opened the show saying how “it’s great to be here” after he was slammed for a tweet last week before being suspended.
      And friend Shearer today expressed how “upset” he was to have missed out on the show after he stood by Lineker alongside Ian Wright.
      He said: “I want to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.
      “It was a really difficult situation for all concerned.
      READ MORE ON LINEKER
      “For no fault of their own some great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation.
      “It’s good to get back to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
      Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
      The BBC’s highest-paid presenter, on £1.35million a year was blasted for his criticism of Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan.
      Most read in Football
      He hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans people who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain, on Twitter.
      Lineker wrote: “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s, and I’m out of order?”
      The bill will see migrants detained and removed to their home country, or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Tory MPs blasted the tweet as “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful”, while Downing Street said his language was “not acceptable and disappointing to see”.
      And fans piled in on the star, with some calling for Lineker to step down.
      Energy secretary Grant Shapps earlier wrote on Twitter: “As a Jewish cabinet minister I need no lessons about 1930s Germany from Gary Lineker.
      “Like Gary, I am hosting refugees in my own home, but unlike Gary, I do not believe it is either right or moral to tolerate criminal gangs trafficking vulnerable people across the channel.”
      Home secretary Suella Braverman branded the TV presenter’s comments “irresponsible” and immigration minister Robert Jenrick said he was “out of step with the British public”.
      But the BBC later confirmed Lineker WILL return to the channel in an embarrassing climbdown 72 hours later.
      Director General Tim Davie apologised for the “difficult period” for staff, presenters and audiences after his embarrassing climbdown.
      Lineker’s failure to say sorry himself also attracted criticism.
      He today marked his return to BBC by tweeting a picture of him and teammates Shearer and Micah Richards.
      The smiling pic of the trio comes minutes after Lineker posted a selfie with the caption: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football,” slyly digging at the BBC.
      Fans blasted the star after he failed to apologise, with one person saying: “Hypocrite. Please quit.”
      Another added: “Will definitely not be watching.”
      Someone else wrote: “Well stick to football then and leave the politics to the politicians.”
      Another said: “You don’t just stick to football and that’s the problem.”
      “Time for a change I feel. Bring in some new faces. Panel have had their day unfortunately in my eyes,” someone else said.
      Fans also said the BBC’s embarrassing U-turn 72 hours after taking Lineker off air may spell trouble for the cooperation.
      Read More on The Sun
      One viewer said: “Lineker hammered the final nail home in the BBC’s coffin.
      “Well done Gary – the license fee is now toast.”
      Lineker posted a selfie with the caption: ‘Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football’Credit: Twitter More

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      in Soccer

      Gary Lineker makes sly dig at BBC as he returns to TV for first time since migrant tweet row

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      GARY Lineker made a sly dig at the BBC as he returned to TV screens after the migrant tweet row.The presenter of Match of the Day, 62, took to his Twitter page earlier this afternoon to post a message to his followers which said: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football.”
      Gary Lineker took to his Twitter page earlier this afternoonCredit: Twitter
      Lineker hosted the BBC’s coverage of the FA CupCredit: BBC
      The Tweet was interpreted by many as a dig at the BBC, who pulled star off air after he likened Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan to “Germany in the ’30s”.
      His return to the channel last night was met with fury from fans who blasted Lineker for failing to apologise for the “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful” post.
      Tonight, his co-host Shearer – who also pulled out in solidarity to Lineker – apologised for missing last week’s show.
      He said: “I want to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.
      Read More on Gary Lineker
      “It was a really difficult situation for all concerned.
      “For no fault of their own some great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation.
      “It’s good to get back  to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
      Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
      Most read in Football
      The BBC’s highest-paid presenter, on £1.35million a year was blasted for writing on Twitter: “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s, and I’m out of order?”
      Illegal Migration Bill will see migrants detained and removed to their home country, or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Tory MPs blasted the tweet as “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful”, while Downing Street said his language was “not acceptable and disappointing to see”.
      Energy secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter: “As a Jewish cabinet minister I need no lessons about 1930s Germany from Gary Lineker.
      “Like Gary, I am hosting refugees in my own home, but unlike Gary, I do not believe it is either right or moral to tolerate criminal gangs trafficking vulnerable people across the channel.”
      Home secretary Suella Braverman branded the TV presenter’s comments “irresponsible” and immigration minister Robert Jenrick said he was “out of step with the British public”.
      Lineker’s words were considered in breach of the BBC’s strict impartiality rules which state that staff must avoid taking sides on political controversies.
      In a statement, the BBC previously said it had “decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.”
      Lineker’s co-hosts on the show, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer also stepped back from the show in support if their colleague.
      Ultimately Lineker’s return was announced as he agreed to abide by existing guidelines and welcomed a new independent review into BBC stars’ use of social media.
      He today marked his return to the BBC by tweeting a picture of himself.
      Lineker wrote: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football.”
      But fans piled in on the star, with some calling for Lineker to step down.
      One person said: “Hypocrite. Please quit,” while another added: “Will definitely not be watching.”
      Someone else wrote: “Well stick to football then and leave the politics to the politicians.”
      Another added: “You don’t just stick to football and that’s the problem.”
      “Time for a change I feel. Bring in some new faces. Panel have had their day unfortunately in my eyes,” someone else said.
      Fans also said the BBC’s embarrassing U-turn 72 hours after taking Lineker off air may spell trouble for the cooperation.
      One viewer said: “Lineker hammered the final nail home in the BBC’s coffin.
      “Well done Gary – the license fee is now toast.”
      Since the controversy exploded, the BBC have come under fire for their handling of the situation.
      BBC director-general Tim Davie, who made the call to suspend Lineker, faced an embarrassing climbdown just 72 hours later when he reversed the decision.
      Mr Davie said in a statement the corporation has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines and apologised for the impartiality row.
      He described the BBC’s commitment to freedom of expression and impartiality as a “difficult balancing act”.
      “The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air”, he added.
      Lineker was back in front of the cameras for the corporation fronting last night’s FA Cup coverage at 5.30pm, telling viewers how thrilled he was to be back at his “Saturday job”.
      His co-host and former teammate Alan Shearer also expressed how “upset” he was to have missed out on the show last week.
      He said: “I want to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.
      “It was a really difficult situation for all concerned.
      “For no fault of their own some great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation.
      “It’s good to get back  to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
      Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Lineker is reportedly yet to confirm his role presenting the BBC’s Champions League coverage when it kicks off next year.
      This comes as rival, BT Sport, is said to be targeting Lineker for their TNT Sports next season, according to MailOnline.
      Lineker said he was thrilled to be back at his ‘Saturday job’Credit: BBC
      Gary Lineker, centre, arrives at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester to present live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and BurnleyCredit: PA More

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      in Soccer

      Gary Lineker says ‘it’s great to be here’ as he returns to BBC but DOESN’T apologise for ‘disgraceful’ Nazi tweet

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      GARY Lineker has said “it’s great to be here” as he returned to the BBC for FA Cup coverage for the first time since his Nazi tweet storm.The former football star, 62, opened last night’s programme at 5.30pm telling viewers how thrilled he was to be back at his “Saturday job”.
      Gary Lineker with teammates Alan Shearer and Micah RichardsCredit: TWITTER/GARY LINEKER
      The TV pundits with the FA Cup trophy before the matchCredit: Reuters
      Lineker arrived at the Etihad Stadium in ManchesterCredit: PA
      Lineker was taken off air after a Tweet  – in which he likened the Illegal Migration Bill to “Germany in the ’30s” – was blasted as “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful” by MPs.
      And fans slammed his return – with some calling for Lineker to step down after he failed to apologise.
      Last night, his co-host Alan Shearer – who also pulled out in solidarity with Lineker – apologised to fans for missing last week’s show.
      He said: “I want to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.
      Read More on lineker
      “It was a really difficult situation for all concerned.
      “For no fault of their own some great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation.
      “It’s good to get back  to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
      Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
      Most read in Football
      The BBC’s highest-paid presenter, on £1.35million a year was blasted for his criticism of Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan.
      He hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans people who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain, on Twitter.
      Lineker wrote: “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s, and I’m out of order?”
      The bill will see migrants detained and removed to their home country, or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Tory MPs slammed the tweet as “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful”, while Downing Street said his language was “not acceptable and disappointing to see”.
      Energy secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter: “As a Jewish cabinet minister I need no lessons about 1930s Germany from Gary Lineker.
      “Like Gary, I am hosting refugees in my own home, but unlike Gary, I do not believe it is either right or moral to tolerate criminal gangs trafficking vulnerable people across the channel.”
      Home secretary Suella Braverman branded the TV presenter’s comments “irresponsible” and immigration minister Robert Jenrick said he was “out of step with the British public”.
      Following Lineker’s tweet, the BBC “decided that [Lineker] will step back from presenting Match of the Day” after the post was found to have breached the BBC’s strict impartiality rules.
      Lineker’s co-hosts on the show, Ian Wright and Shearer, also pulled out in support if their colleague.
      But the BBC later confirmed Lineker WILL return to the channel in an embarrassing climbdown 72 hours later.
      Director General Tim Davie apologised for the “difficult period” for staff, presenters and audiences after his embarrassing climbdown.
      Lineker’s failure to say sorry himself also attracted criticism.
      He yesterday marked his return to the BBC by tweeting a picture of himself along with a sly dig at the BBC.
      He wrote: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football.”
      But fans piled in on the star, with some calling for Lineker to step down.
      One person said: “Hypocrite. Please quit,” while another added: “Will definitely not be watching.”
      Someone else wrote: “Well stick to football then and leave the politics to the politicians.”
      Another added: “You don’t just stick to football and that’s the problem.”
      “Time for a change I feel. Bring in some new faces. Panel have had their day unfortunately in my eyes,” someone else said.
      Fans also said the BBC’s embarrassing U-turn 72 hours after taking Lineker off air may spell trouble for the cooperation.
      One viewer said: “Lineker hammered the final nail home in the BBC’s coffin.
      “Well done Gary – the license fee is now toast.”
      Since the controversy exploded, the BBC have come under fire for their handling of the situation.
      Mr Davie said in a statement the corporation has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines and apologised for the impartiality row.
      He described the BBC’s commitment to freedom of expression and impartiality as a “difficult balancing act”.
      He added: “The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised.
      “I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.”
      Lineker is reportedly yet to confirm his role presenting the BBC’s Champions League coverage when it kicks off next year.
      Read More on The Sun
      This comes as rival, BT Sport, is said to be targeting Lineker for their TNT Sports next season, according to Mail Online.
      Yesterday saw the arrival of the Home Secretary in Rwanda, to meet with President Paul Kagame and her counterpart Vincent Biruta, to discuss the plan.
      It is the first time he hit TV screens after his chaotic tweet rowCredit: PA
      Shearer told how upset he was about last week’s show being cancelledCredit: BBC More

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      in Soccer

      Why Gary Lineker will not appear on BBC Match of the Day tonight after furious tweet row

      by

      GARY LINEKER will NOT be returning to host Match of the Day later tonight.However, the 62-year-old will make his first appearance on the BBC since he was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day after his Nazi tweet storm.
      Gary Lineker will return to BBC screens today after his tweet rowCredit: PA
      The England legend will not be hosting Match of the Day on Saturday nightCredit: BBC
      Lineker came under fire from MPs as a weekend of chaos saw schedules changed last-minute and a different format for Match Of The Day.
      The BBC’s star presenter had been suspended from his duties and faced a backlash following a tweet criticising Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan.
      The mayhem erupted after Lineker criticised Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s small boats plan which will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Lineker faced fury after he likened the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy to 1930s Germany.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      He was accused by the BBC of breaking their strict impartiality rules that state staff must “avoid taking sides on political controversies” and “take care when addressing public policy matters”.
      Last Friday, the broadcaster revealed he had been suspended and would not host Saturday’s Match of the Day – sparking a mutiny among his co-stars.
      Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in with the football analysis show plunged into crisis.
      Saturday’s night episode later aired with a stripped-back, 20 minute version that did not even feature the iconic theme tune or commentary.
      Most read in Football
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      Lineker faced a wave of fury over the crisis after he failed to apologise himself for his tweet.
      BBC director-general Tim Davie, who made the call to suspend Lineker, faced an embarrassing climbdown just 72 hours later when he decided to reverse the decision.
      Mr Davie said in a statement the corporation has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines, particularly for freelancers.
      He also apologised for the impartiality row and said a review of the BBC’s social media guidelines would take place.
      Mr Davie described the BBC’s commitment to freedom of expression and impartiality as a “difficult balancing act”.
      Lineker then tweeted that he was “delighted” to have navigated a way through the row after a “surreal few days” ahead of his return.
      But he will not be in the famous chair tonight for the iconic Saturday night footy show.
      Instead, he will front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage of Man City vs Burnley today.
      Mark Chapman is due to host the Match Of The Day highlights show later. More