Gary Lineker reveals he nearly broke strict rule during one-off ITV World Cup appearance

Gary Lineker has admitted he had to stop himself from breaking the cardinal sin of swearing on live TV during his ITV appearance.

The former England striker featured on the broadcaster’s coverage of Germany vs Ivory Coast on Saturday.

ITV

Lineker opened the show as if he was presenting after being announced as a surprise pundit by ITV.

Speaking to the camera, he joked: “Thank you very much for joining us on ITV for this one. Another day, another game, another channel…”

He joined host Gary Neville, Ian Wright, Duncan Ferguson and host Laura Woods in their New York City studio prior to kick-off.

The opportunity came about with Lineker already in the city for this summer’s World Cup with Netflix.

During the tournament, he is hosting daily episodes of his Rest is Football show on the streaming platform.

On the Rest is Football, Lineker and his guests are permitted to swear during the show.

However, this is prohibited on ITV’s coverage, with the broadcaster regulated by Ofcom.

Lineker let off

Lineker has now revealed he had to stop himself from swearing during his appearance, though.

His admission came during the latest episode of the Rest is Football after Joe Cole had recalled England’s draw with Sweden at the 2006 World Cup.

The former midfielder dropped an ‘F-bomb’ during his story, with Lineker alluding to it moments later.

PA

He explained: “I nearly dropped the f-bomb on ITV today. I was so close to it.

“We get used to it, you [Joe] swore there. There was a point where I was live and I went ‘ffff’ and just held it back. I sucked it in.

“I’m nearly 30 years of television or whatever it was so you know not to do it ever but doing this show and the fact we swear a little bit, I was so close and just pulled it back.”

Lineker’s ITV appearance marked a return to UK football coverage after his BBC exit at the end of the 2024/25 season.

The 65-year-old was sacked by the BBC after more than 25 years as host of Match of the Day.

He had been due to remain with the broadcaster through until the end of the World Cup prior to his departure.

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Unlike ITV, the BBC have remained in the UK for their main World Cup studio during the tournament, although they are set to fly over to the States for the latter stages of the competition.

In comparison, viewers have been treated to a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline during ITV’s coverage from North America.