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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Sheena McStravick

Colin Murray pulls out of BBC Radio show over Gary Lineker row

Colin Murray and his fellow presenting team have pulled out of their usual Saturday morning radio show in a move of solidarity with Gary Lineker.

The Dundonald native took to Twitter to tell his followers there would be no 'Fighting Talk' episode broadcast on BBC 5Live for 'obvious reasons'.

He wrote: "No @FightingTalk316 today, for obvious reasons. In the interest of transparency, this was a decision taken by the entire FT team and myself. Bob Mills was still up for it, to be fair ;)"

Read more: Gary Lineker axed by BBC until they can 'agree on his use of social media'

The popular show hosted by Murray reflects on the volatile world of sport and guests each week compete for points with their sporting punditry.

Following his decision, many fans of Murray took to the social media platform to support him and his team's decision.

One fan wrote: "Well done to you all. I love fighting talk yet the right decision!"

Another added: "Well done for standing with Lineker! Love the show and Colin and missing it dearly but it’s absolutely the right thing."

Match of the Day host Lineker has been removed from his usual Saturday night duties in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.

Following the BBC's announcement, Alan Shearer and Ian Wright both informed the BBC that they won't be appearing on this week's edition of Match of the Day.

Instead the show will run without commentators and the programme will 'focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry', according to a BBC spokesperson.

The BBC has been also forced to pull its Saturday midday sport show Football Focus after the stars rsaid they would not take to the air until the Gary Lineker row has been resolved. Alex Scott and Kelly Somers are both reported to have declined to take part in the weekly show.

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