Lineker says sorry as he goes early

TELEVISION presenter Gary Lineker has apologised for the “hurt and upset caused” following a social media post he shared, as his early exit from the BBC was confirmed.

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Lineker, 64, will leave the corporation after this weekend's Match Of The Day and will not front BBC coverage of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, or coverage of the FA Cup next season, as had been previously announced.

In an Instagram video, in which he referenced a post he previously shared about Zionism, which he deleted, and which had featured a picture of a rat, the former England footballer said: “Unfortunately, I did not see the emoji. If I had, I would never, ever have shared it. The minute I was made aware, I quickly deleted the post and went on to make an apology.”