Gary Lineker has been shortlisted for the Nationwide Tv award for finest TV presenter, a couple of months after his exit from the BBC's Match Of The Day.
The previous footballer will compete in opposition to Ant and Dec, who've gained the prize for 23 years in a row.
Lineker exited the BBC's flagship soccer present in Could after 26 years, following a row over him sharing a social media submit about Zionism. The submit featured an outline of a rat, traditionally an antisemitic insult.
He issued an unreserved apology over the submit, because it was confirmed he would go away his position early on the BBC, the place he was its highest paid on-air presenter, and would not entrance protection of the 2026 World Cup or subsequent season's FA Cup.
This month it was introduced that he had signed as much as current a brand new ITV gameshow referred to as The Field, which will probably be filmed within the UK later this 12 months and air in 2026.
Throughout his BBC profession, Lineker's social media posts repeatedly led to criticism of the broadcaster. In 2023, he in contrast the then Conservative authorities's rhetoric round immigration to that utilized in Germany within the Nineteen Thirties. His suspension led to colleagues strolling out in solidarity and a Match of the Day with none commentary or evaluation. The BBC toughened its impartiality tips for presenters.
He was amongst 500 movie, TV and different media professionals calling on the BBC to reinstate a documentary on youngsters and younger folks residing in Gaza. It was faraway from the BBC's iPlayer after it emerged that the movie's 14-year-old narrator was the son of a deputy agriculture minister within the territory's Hamas-run authorities.
Amid the ultimate row over the Zionism submit, an interview with Lineker was printed wherein he warned BBC bosses there might be extra controversial moments to navigate between now and the subsequent World Cup. “You both have empathy otherwise you don't,” Lineker mentioned. “I'll positively proceed pushing humanitarian points.”
Lineker and Ant and Dec will compete for the tv presenter prize in opposition to Alison Hammond, finest identified for her appearances on This Morning and The Nice British Bake Off; The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman; and Kind Your Life Out presenter Stacey Solomon.
The NTAs will probably be held on the O2 in London on 10 September and televised by ITV.
With PA Media
