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After it was sensationally announced that Gary Lineker would be leaving BBC’s Match of the Day after 25 years, rival networks were no doubt putting together attractive offers for the presenter.
And it seems ITV is already planning to poach the 63-year-old after I’m A Celebrity hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly called for him to take part in the reality show next year.
On Tuesday, Ant, 49, told viewers during an Instagram live video: ‘We have to go now, oh no wait, there’s one more suggestion: ‘Bring in Gary Lineker [the Jungle] for next year”.
Responding to the suggestion, Ant said: ‘That’s a good idea. Good proposal. Now that he’s left the day’s game, let’s bring him in.”
Most of the time, the Geordie duo ignore fans’ calls for high-caliber names like Lineker to enter the I’m A Celebrity jungle because they are too busy or too famous to appear on the reality show.
But in a rare move, the presenters agreed with the suggestion that Lineker should take part in the ITV flagship show and even pushed for it.
It looks like ITV is already trying to poach Gary Lineker after I’m A Celebrity hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly called for him to take part in the reality show next year
With his business partner at Goal Hanger – the company behind the hugely successful podcast franchise The Rest Is – as well as former Head of Sport at ITV, Tony Pastor, talks about Lineker joining ITV have undoubtedly been bubbling for some time.
It comes after the former England striker’s agent, John Holmes, insisted ITV were keen to recruit Lineker ‘years ago’ but was hit back by the presenter.
Holmes’ reprimand came amid reports that Lineker planned to join ITV this summer and take a prominent position in sports reporting.
But now the Lineker jump ship issue has resurfaced since fans have been calling for him to appear on I’m A Celebrity, an idea that has been reinforced by the show’s long-time presenters.
Ant and Dec’s influence on the line-up cannot be underestimated as TikTok star, GK Barry, who is taking part this year, thanked the pair for helping them get a place on the show.
GK Barry, whose real name is Grace Keeling, is now in the Jungle and reportedly has an ITV show lined up for her when she leaves.
I’m A Celebrity is known to be a gateway for celebrities to work more with ITV and bringing Lineker on board would help him transition into a more permanent role on the network.
After weeks of speculation that Lineker would leave MOTD, it was confirmed last week that the former striker will step down at the end of the season.
After weeks of speculation that Lineker would leave Match Of The Day, it was confirmed last week that the former striker will step down at the end of the season
Lineker, who receives £1.35million a year from the BBC, will cover the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US, as well as next season’s FA Cup.
It was also reported that he has already left presenting the BBC Sports Personality of The Year awards ceremony in December.
According to a poll conducted this week by market research company Ipsos, fans would like to see returning Match of the Day expert Alan Shearer take over the reins of the show.
Mark Chapman, host of the highlights show’s sister program Match of the Day 2, was a close second favorite among fans to succeed Lineker, with 20 percent.
Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s sports director, is keen to turn the show around and hopes a new presenter can attract a younger audience to the programme.