Gary Lineker 'on brink of early BBC exit' after backlash over social media post

Gary Lineker is said to be on the cusp of leaving the after leaving staff members at the corporation 'disgusted' with a social media post he shared at the start of the week.

The outgoing host, 64, announced earlier this season that he would be standing down from his role on the show after 26 years. But he is now poised to leave the corporation early, according to a new report.

claim that insiders have indicated 's position has become untenable after sharing a pro-Palestine video on his account earlier this week from the campaign group, Palestine Lobby.

The report adds that the terms of any exit agreement have not yet been confirmed, though tension over the situation is 'thought to be coming to a head' .

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Lineker went on to issue an apology via a statement, which read: "On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references.

"I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.

"The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue. Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters.

"I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly."

Prior to Lineker's apology, revealed that some members of staff at the BBC had been left outraged over their failure to sack Lineker despite his "repeated offensiveness to Jewish people".

One anonymous member of staff said: "It is quite simply disgusting that the BBC has not kicked Lineker out.

"His repeated offensiveness to Jewish people has clearly brought the BBC into disrepute. The interpretation of Zionism he has shared is anti-Semitic and the fact that the BBC thinks it’s acceptable is deeply upsetting to its Jewish staff, myself included."

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