Gary Lineker leaves BBC to host new game show on ITV
- Gary Lineker has been signed to host The Box, a new game show on ITV, just a few months after leaving the BBC.
- The show features celebrity contestants in challenges from inside boxes and is based on a successful Norwegian format.
- This role is seen as a significant move for both Lineker and ITV, filling a gap left by the end of Saturday Night Takeaway and promising to draw in viewers.
In a significant television development, Gary Lineker, the former England footballer, has accepted a role to host a new game show called The Box on ITV. This announcement comes just four months after Lineker's departure from the BBC arose from a controversial social media post linked to antisemitism. During his time at the BBC, Lineker had built a strong profile as a sports presenter, notably for his work on Match of the Day, which he left in May. The new show, inspired by a popular Norwegian format, features celebrity contestants competing in challenges from inside boxes, significantly shifting the landscape of game shows on UK television. ITV is reportedly excited about launching The Box, as they believe it could serve as a successor to the long-running Saturday Night Takeaway, which concluded its run in April 2024 after more than two decades. The series has already found success in Norway and Denmark, and its introduction in the UK is seen as a strategic move for ITV to fill the programming gap left by the previous show. Filming for The Box is expected to start in the autumn of 2025, with possible air dates projected for spring 2026, and a Saturday night time slot is likely to be considered. Lineker's exit from the BBC was more complex than a simple resignation, as he described the situation as a case of “quit or be quitted.” His controversial remarks on social media, particularly about Zionism, led to significant backlash, culminating in his statement that he made a mistake and promptly apologized. The impact of his social media presence on his professional life has led him to reassess how he engages online, opting for a more subdued approach following his departure from the BBC. Additionally, this shift marks a pivotal moment for Lineker as he transitions from a prestigious role at the BBC to a new environment at ITV. His ability to engage audiences through various media, such as podcasts produced by his company, Goalhanger Podcasts, demonstrates his ongoing relevance in the sports broadcasting field. This transition is not only important for Lineker's career but also for ITV, which views this new show as a potential hit that could rejuvenate its Saturday night programming, drawing in viewers and setting new entertainment standards for the channel.