Gary Lineker interrupted on ITV, then aims subtle dig at BBC | OneFootball

Gary Lineker made a surprise appearance on ITV’s World Cup coverage on Saturday evening from New York, praising the broadcaster’s studio and appearing to aim a gentle swipe at the BBC’s setup.

He featured during Germany’s match against Ivory Coast and briefly began introducing the broadcast before presenter Laura Woods cut in. According to the Mirror, she then welcomed England’s joint top scorer with Harry Kane as a special guest.

Lineker has been in New York hosting daily editions of The Rest Is Football for Netflix from Times Square. He had planned to continue contributing to the BBC’s World Cup output after leaving Match of the Day, but in May last year it was confirmed he would end all ties with the corporation.

On air, he said he had come to see the ITV set, described it as impressive, and noted he had missed doing television.

His remarks followed scrutiny of the BBC’s World Cup operation, which is based in Salford, Manchester, rather than at the tournament venue in the United States. ITV is broadcasting from a rooftop studio with views of the New York and Brooklyn skyline.

BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski has said the decision not to base their studio in the United States was driven by budget and sustainability, adding that viewers at home would not see a significant difference in the final product.

Lineker is set to return to ITV when his game show The Box airs in early September.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk