Gary Lineker has revealed what he thinks the future holds for his hit ITV game show Sitting On A Fortune.
The 62-year-old presenter of the match of the day has headlined the program for two series as contestants try to hit the £100,000 jackpot.
And Gary thinks there’s room for a format change for the show, suggesting celebrities can try out the quiz in an effort to raise money for charity.
“I think it’s an opportunity for us to do a full celebrity series, I think the money should go to charity… I don’t think the celebrities will get away with that!” he told The sun.
‘I am very happy with how Sitting on a Fortune has been received. The numbers were good and the feedback was excellent.
Quiz host: Gary Lineker has revealed what he thinks the future holds for his hit ITV game show Sitting On A Fortune
Money: The 62-year-old presenter of the match of the day has helmed the program for two series, watching contestants hit the £100,000 jackpot
‘Hopefully we can just make a lot of series and give a lot of people a lot of money. I really enjoy it because it’s a totally different skill than anything else I’ve done.’
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
On the quiz show, players choose where to place themselves in a row of seats for a chance to answer questions and win the jackpot.
Players have no lifelines, safety nets or chances to run away in the show, which is co-produced by ITV Studios labels Possessed and Potato.
Meanwhile, on the BBC, Gary is currently the highest paid presenter and has been for a number of years; receiving payments of £1.75-1.76 million per annum.
Lineker received between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 in 2021/2022 for work including Match Of The Day and Sports Personality Of The Year – a reduction of £10,000 from the previous year.
The 62-year-old was taken off the air in March after posting a tweet noting comparisons between the language the government used to launch their new asylum seekers policy with that of 1930s Germany.
With no presenters and commentators, who pulled out in solidarity with Lineker, the BBC was forced to broadcast a 20-minute episode of the legendary program with no intro music, analysis or commentary.
Millionaire: Lineker was paid between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 in 2021/2022 for work including Match Of The Day and Sports Personality Of The Year
Controversy: Last week, Lineker revealed he cried after Ian Wright and Alan Shearer refused to take part in Match of the Day after the 62-year-old was taken off the air in March
Last week, Lineker revealed that he cried after Ian Wright and Alan Shearer refused to take part in Match of the Day.
The former England international was reinstated a week later to host Manchester City’s send-off against Burnley in the FA Cup.
But in an interview with The Guardian, Lineker shared how he felt about having the “wonderful” support of his colleagues during the turbulent period.
“It was a great few days, really moving,” Lineker began. ‘A bit overwhelming.
“It started with Ian Wright pulling out, and then 20 minutes later Alan Shearer did the same – it was maybe a little harder for him – and it was ‘wow, wow’.
“We have a WhatsApp group and I had said, ‘I feel like they’re taking me off Match of the Day because I’m not shifting.’ I had been asked to make a statement, but I insisted I didn’t think I had anything to apologize for. I still think so.
Wrighty said, “If they do that, there’s no way I can do the show.” I know he has strong convictions, but when he actually tweeted it I thought, phew…
Then Alan did it. I cried. I honestly cried. I sat in the back of a cab in tears, moved. I was very emotional. I said I could never thank them enough.’
Having worked for the broadcaster for over 28 years, the pundit took over hosting duties at Match of the Day from Des Lynam in 1999, and Lineker was keen to emphasize how much he appreciated the company when he returned the following Saturday.
‘I’ve always loved working with the BBC. It’s been a rough ride because of the love-hate relationship some have with the company.
“I understand the whole impartiality thing, but they were wrong. They recognized that and corrected it. Some people will always attack the BBC at every opportunity, including some newspapers.
“Sometimes we don’t stand up and fight for our cause. Sometimes we live in too much fear of what people think, especially people who will never love the BBC anyway.’