Gary Lineker reveals he turned DOWN huge ITV show as he reveals salary demand for reality shows
SPORTS pundit Gary Lineker has revealed just how much a reality TV show might need to pay to entice him to take part.
Speaking on YouTube for his podcast The Rest Is Football, he discussed with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer over what he would do if he ever gave up being a pundit for good.
Gary Lineker revealed: “Do you know last week I got requests to go on Celebrity Big Brother.”
As his fellow podcasters laughed he then revealed his agent handled the enquiry, but outlined a major fee before Lineker would agree to be involved.
Lineker continued: “My agent sent it through, and then jokingly he replied, ‘Oh, yes. Gary’s fee will be £50 million’.”
He then added: “He did it completely as a joke, obviously. And they came back said, ‘Oh, that’s a little bit…that’s not within our budget’.”
As Micah and Alan laughed along they joked that Gary would be getting more requests for shows now he’s stepping back from Match Of The Day, but he revealed a stint on a reality show is not likely.
Gary explained: “I can tell you now, don’t bother asking.”
Last month Gary revealed he will stop presenting Match of the Day at the end of this season.
Yet as part of an 18-month contract extension – the 63-year-old will stay on to anchor the Corporation’s 2025/26 FA Cup coverage and the next World Cup.
Lineker, who will take a substantial pay cut, will have hosted MOTD for 25 years when he steps down from the show.
The former England striker is understood to be on new terms, which will see his salary reduced significantly. He currently receives £1.35m, making him the highest paid broadcaster at the BBC.
In November, a BBC source said: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.
“But he has been at the helm since 1999, and by the time he leaves, he will have been at the Beeb for 30 years.
“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.
“It’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces, and slashing wage bills.
“Negotiations have been ongoing for the past six weeks and finally a deal has been struck that everyone is pleased with.
“Gary is incredibly popular with both players and viewers, and news of his departure will send shockwaves around the Corporation. In other words, no-one is immune from change.
“Gary will be 65 when he leaves; frankly, he isn’t getting younger and just feels the time is right to focus solely on his mogul interests outside the BBC – namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is becoming huge Stateside.
“BBC execs, meanwhile, will be giving Match of the Day a reboot to keep it fresh in the wake of such a huge departure.”