Gary Lineker hit back at criticism of his decision to make a controversial World Cup appearance for ITV, insisting his motives were ‘strictly professional’.
Lineker, who presented BBC’s Match of the Day for 26 years until he departed the corporation last May, was announced on Friday as a pundit for ITV’s coverage of Germany against Ivory Coast in Group E.
The former Spurs striker started his appearance on ITV with a typically light-hearted moment after he started to present the show before presenter Laura Woods interjected in comical fashion.
‘Thank you very much for joining us on ITV for this one. Another day, another game, another channel,’ Lineker started before being cut off by Woods.
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Woods added: ‘Gary, that’s my job!’
Lineker’s cameo appearance also included a subtle dig at his former employers when he complemented ITV’s set which features the stunning Manhattan skyline in the background.
The BBC, meanwhile, have attracted criticism during the tournament for basing the majority of its operation back home, with presenters and pundits alike hosting broadcast’s from Salford’s Media City.
Lineker, meanwhile, began Sunday’s The Rest Is Football episode under pressure from co-host Micah Richard to explain his defection to ITV.
‘I was making an appearance to promote my show ‘The Box’ which is also on ITV in September,’ said the former England captain, with a rueful smile on his face.
‘And also I wanted to go and have a little look at the studio. I also wanted to go and promote our Netflix show which I got two mentions in for.
‘It was just for purely professional reasons Micah.’
‘Professional reasons?’ said Richards, in response. ‘Come on Gaz, you’re better than that.’
Lineker, had the final word, however, remind the former Manchester City defender ‘Says the person who works for pretty much every TV channel known to man.’
The new Netflix hit, a spin-off of Lineker’s regular podcast, then cut to a segment which showed Lineker going behind the scenes at ITV where he bumped into his old Match of the Day colleague, Ian Wright.
‘It’s so cheeky, Gary,’ said Wright in conversation with his old BBC sparring partner.
Lineker was then shown receiving a head massage from a member of the backstage crew.
‘I never got this massage at the BBC,’ he quipped.