Gary Lineker reveals he turned down ITV reality show after confirming Match of the Day exit – and shares the outrageous appearance fee demand his agent made ‘as a joke’

The former England international will be stepping down as host of the BBC’s flagship Premier League highlights show at the end of the current campaign – having spent 25 years filling that seat. The 64-year-old is ready to embrace new challenges, having already branched out into the world of podcasts.

With it announced that he will be severing ties with the BBC, rival broadcasters have been making a play for Lineker. ITV – who recently paid Coleen Rooney a reported £1.5 million to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here – were keen to make a notable booking for their 2025 instalment of Celebrity Big Brother.

Lineker has told The Rest Is Football podcast of how his representative responded to that approach: "My agent sent it through, and then jokingly he replied, ‘Oh, yes. Gary's fee will be £50 million!’ He did it completely as a joke, obviously. And they came back said, ‘Oh, that's a little bit...that's not within our budget’.”

Quizzed on whether he may be tempted to enter the Big Brother house at some stage in the near future, Lineker added: “I can tell you now, don't bother asking.”

Lineker has also confirmed that he will not form part of the presenting team at the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, having been a regular on stage at that event over recent years. Clare Balding, Alex Scott and Gabby Logan will be fronting that show, with Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham joining darts sensation Luke Little and gold medal runner Keely Hodgkinson on the list of contenders.