Gary Lineker set to return as football host as part of new show after BBC axe

Former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker will host a football-themed challenge as part of his brand new ITV entertainment show, The Box, when it airs next year

Gary Lineker will soon front a football-themed episode of his new ITV show, The Box – but he’ll be working alongside local footballers and two mystery celebrities rather than Premier League stars.

Lineker, 64, signed up to host a new challenge-themed entertainment show on ITV just months after he was axed by the BBC, ending a 26-year association with the corporation as the host of Match of the Day. And it’s now emerged that there will be a football-themed episode of the show, taking Lineker back to his roots.

The Sun report that two teams will be made up of local players with celebrity captains. And Lineker’s presence as the show’s host will tie everything together.

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An insider told the publication: “Given Gary’s association with the sport, the odds of a football-related task featuring on the series was always going to be high. The playing standard isn’t quite what he’s used to but having Gary’s input will bring a sense of credibility to the broadcast.

“He’s enjoyed filming the challenges so far and this one is no different, but it’s much more in his comfort zone.”

Lineker’s new show – which will air in 2026 – will see celebrities ‘unboxed’ somewhere in the UK before undertaking a challenge. The celebs for the task in question were taken to a non-league football ground in Winchester before discovering they would be captaining teams in front of Lineker, who played for England and Barcelona before transitioning to the sports broadcasting world at the end of his football career.

After landing the Best TV Presenter gong at the National Television Awards earlier this month, Lineker was asked about the prospect of returning to the BBC in the future.

“Would I work with the BBC again? ,” Lineker said. “I really don’t know. I’m not so sure. At the moment, I’m really excited about working with ITV and I’ve got a podcast business that I have to run.

“I’m still watching loads of football. I’m still doing the same thing. I have watched Match of the Day since I left, of course. I never miss it. I’ll always love it.”

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