• Gary Lineker will host ITV’s The Box as his first post-BBC role.
• The show is a mix of I’m a Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins.
• Filming starts autumn 2025 for a spring 2026 release.
• Lineker left the BBC after a controversial social media post.

Gary Lineker, the iconic former Match of the Day host, has secured his first major TV role since leaving the BBC earlier this year.

The football legend is set to lead ITV’s upcoming reality show The Box, indicating a new phase in his broadcasting career following his controversial departure from the BBC.

Gary Lineker Joins ITV’s The Box as Host

The 64-year-old presenter has agreed to host The Box, a dynamic game show that blends elements of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and SAS: Who Dares Wins. The format originates from Norway and involves celebrities being placed in yellow boxes and facing unexpected challenges.

ITV reportedly sees the show as a potential successor to Saturday Night Takeaway, which ended in 2024. A source told The Sun:

“The Box is hugely popular in Norway, with rights swiftly sold to Denmark and now the UK. ITV is excited about the show and believes they’ve found the rightful successor to Saturday Night Takeaway.”

Filming begins this autumn, with an expected spring 2026 premiere in a prime Saturday night slot.

Gary Lineker ‘signs huge deal with ITV to host new show’ after BBC exithttps://t.co/MMkvONC9gh pic.twitter.com/rBMV4Zjd24

— Mirror TV (@MirrorTV) August 5, 2025

Lineker’s Controversial BBC Exit

Lineker’s move comes after his sudden exit from the BBC in May 2025, which followed his sharing of a pro-Palestinian Instagram post featuring a rat emoji, a symbol often associated with antisemitic tropes. He later stated:

“I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic—it contradicts everything I stand for. I made a mistake, removed it immediately, and apologized.”

Despite initially planning to stay for the 2026 World Cup and FA Cup coverage, his exit was accelerated. In a podcast interview, he admitted:

“It was a case of quit or be quitted.”

What’s Next for Lineker?

Besides The Box, Lineker continues his work with Goalhanger Films, his production company known for hit podcasts like The Rest Is Football. His transition to ITV indicates a significant career change from sports analysis to prime-time entertainment.

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Last Updated on August 6, 2025 by 247 News Around The World