Eamonn Holmes has aired his views on the ongoing row between Gary Lineker and the BBC over his Twitter commentary.
Match of the Day host Lineker was 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.
The programme instead was on air for just 20 minutes showing the goals from Saturday's Premier League games with no commentary or analysis.
Read more: Gary Lineker 'would return to Match of the Day but will not back down'
Speaking to GB News, Belfast man Eamonn Holmes said he respected Lineker's right to express his opinion.
He said: "I like Gary, I think whether you like what he says or not, I respect his right to say what he says. And I just think again in this day and age, it's so archaic.
"He doesn't present news, I don't care if you a present wildlife programme or a sports programme or whatever, he's broadcasting to his own followers, on his own social media, and as you say he's a freelance, it could be a tactic to take on HMRC who want everyone on staff unless you can prove you're independent from your employers."
The BBC aired a significantly reduced sports coverage on Saturday after a number of presenters also pulled out of scheduled programming, including NI Colin Murray.
He posted on Twitter: "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 ;)"
As a passionate Manchester United fan, the hosts of GB News' sports programme asked Eamonn how supporting the club had affected his blood pressure this season.
Eamonn replied: "It's not much different to any other season, I mean last Sunday if that's what you're referring to [Liverpool beat Man United 7-0], didn't see it coming, no-one saw it coming. I was too busy being on a high from the League Cup final the Sunday before and then the FA Cup win against West Ham on Wednesday night.
"So the only thing I will say boys is there are a lot of games, there are a lot of games going on there because of the Qatari World Cup."
He added that he has full faith in Man United manager Erik ten Hag and believes he is 'cut from the same cloth' as legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
READ NEXT:
Colin Murray pulls out of BBC Radio show over Gary Lineker row
Fury over BBC decision not to air Wild Isles episode on destruction of nature
NI comedians to take on Manchester United legends in charity football match
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
