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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Greg Evans

Gary Lineker signs hosting deal with rival broadcaster to BBC

  • Gary Lineker is set to present a new ITV game show called The Box, marking his first major television role since leaving Match of the Day, according to The Sun.
  • The show, which originated in Norway, involves celebrity contestants competing in unknown challenges from within separate boxes, and is described as a blend of I'm a Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins.
  • ITV is reportedly positioning The Box as a potential successor to the long-running Saturday Night Takeaway, which concluded in April 2024.
  • Filming for the new series is anticipated to begin in autumn, with a potential broadcast date as early as spring 2026, likely in a Saturday night slot.
  • Lineker's move to ITV follows his departure from the BBC earlier this year, which he described as a case of "quit or be quitted" after a controversial social media post about Zionism.

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