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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Leeks & Laura Armstrong

Gary Lineker WON'T watch Match Of The Day tonight - and will eat a cottage pie instead

Gary Lineker will not watch Saturday's edition of Match of the Day after being stood down from his role as presenter.

The BBC took the decision to remove Lineker from his role temporarily after his row with Conservative MPs over his opposition to the government's Ilegal Migration bill. That prompted a furious reaction from Lineker's colleagues, with many pulling their availability in solidarity.

Ian Wright and Alan Shearer stepped back from their scheduled role as pundits, with potential Lineker replacement Alex Scott also refusing to go on the show. The six people scheduled to provide commentary then announced they would also not be appearing.

It means the programme will air without studio presentation, punditry or commentary and will run for just 19 minutes. While many may watch in curiosity, Lineker will not be joining them, his son George has confirmed.

"I've been messaging him today, just saying: 'How are you doing Dad, how are you holding up?' And he replied: 'All good'," he told the Mirror.

"He's been at Leicester today and he got a really good reaction - there were banners in support of him in the stadium. When he comes home from the Leicester game my brother is cooking him a cottage pie.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should the BBC reverse its decision to stand down Gary Lineker? Comment below.

"Then he'll probably go to bed and maybe watch the show in the morning, before we go for a Sunday roast."

George also insisted that his father would not apologise for his actions and stands by his comments earlier this week. The BBC are now scrambling to find a solution, with Lineker's future up in the air.

"Dad is a good man, a good human, and I'm proud of him for standing by his word. That's why he was pulled off the show - because he wouldn't apologise. But he will always speak up for people who don't have a voice," the younger Lineker added.

"He is passionate about helping refugee charities - he took in two refugees who he is still in touch with and trying to help. It means a lot to him to stand up for people whose only hope is to escape a country with only the clothes on their back.

"That's why he's been so firm. Will he go back to Match of the Day? I think so - he loves Match of the Day. But he won't ever back down on his word. To take him off the air for having a voice is harsh, and I think he was surprised, and a bit disappointed."

The BBC's Director General Tim Davie has apologised for the disruption caused by the events of the past two days and insisted he wants to see Lineker return to his role.

Click here to sign the Mirror's petition to reinstate Gary Lineker

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