Gary Lineker is officially returning to TV – but in a radically different role to one viewers have come to expect over the years.
The 64-year-old broadcaster and former footballer stepped down from the BBC earlier this year, and presented his last ever Match of the Day episode in May.
During his emotional goodbye, the veteran TV host choked up as he sat alongside co-presenters and fellow former football pros Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
But after hosting the sport highlights show for 26 years, Lineker’s next adventure is set to be radically different as he joins ITV’s new gameshow The Box.
According to ITV, ‘The Box sees 10 celebrity contestants transported to unknown locations, before being released to face whatever game awaits on the other side of the door’.
The synopsis continues: ‘Every episode will see them face surprising reveals, unique games, and a compelling series arc – as each week two players will face The Duel, a dramatic show finale which will see the loser leaving the competition for good.’
In a statement, Lineker said: ‘I can’t wait to host The Box. I’ve always felt right at home in the box on a football pitch and whilst this is a different proposition, the fundamentals are similar.
‘The contestants will have to quickly and masterfully work out how each game works, whilst also trying to get ahead of the competition to take control. It’s going to be unpredictable and thrilling to watch, and I’m excited that I get to have a front row seat to all the action.’
Lineker’s new show, which will air in the UK in 2026, has already been greenlit for a second season after the success of its Norwegian edition spawned several versions in other countries.
The former Everton and Barcelona plater confirmed his exit from the BBC during the early months of 2025 after he shared a post to his Instagram story from the Palestine Lobby group titled ‘Zionism explained in two minutes’.
His repost included an illustration of a rat, which has historically been used as an antisemitic representation of Jewish people, most notably in Nazi Germany propaganda.
Lineker later ‘apologised unreservedly’ and swiftly deleted the post from his account, saying he was unaware of the reference and that posting it had been a mistake.
After the former England striker left the BBC but before joining the ITV gameshow, The Sun claimed that his prospective presenting gig on The Box would ‘infuriate’ his former employers.
The publication reported that The Box had been gathering steam as TV networks search for the next answer to match The Traitors’ dominance – see the latest attempt, Destination X.
Touted as a possible successor to Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV, The Box had apparently caused ITV to pursue Lineker for some time.
The tabloid reported that ITV has been keen to snap up Lineker for some time and thinks this show, hailed as a mashup of I’m A Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins, could be just the thing.
A TV source told The Sun: ‘The scheduling hasn’t yet been confirmed, but filming takes place in the autumn, and the series is due to air early spring.
‘It looks likely to get a Saturday night slot, though, but obviously it’s all still to play for.’
Metro contacted Gary Lineker’s representatives for comment.
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