![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/gary-lineker-received-standing-ovation-in-marks-and-spencer-after-bbc-motd-row/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_GettyImages-1250819062.jpg&description=Gary Lineker has opened up on the fiasco which enveloped the BBC in March after he was suspended for tweeting criticism of the Government's bill on illegal migrants Gary Lineker says that he was given a standing ovation by members of the public in Marks and Spencer during the row over his suspension by the BBC. The Match of the Day presenter was taken off air by the broadcaster in March after he refused to apologise for tweeting criticism of the Government's bill on illegal migrants. Lineker had compared the language used to launch a Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany on Twitter. His words sparked an almighty backlash, with the BBC descending into chaos after many of Lineker's colleagues boycotted their roles in support of the former England striker. Lineker received widespread support from his BBC colleagues – and he says that support was also shown by the public. He told the Telegraph: "I recall walking to M&S two or three days in, and I got a standing ovation... Well, I suppose everybody's standing in M&S, but even so. It was really cringe. I didn't know what to do. I just thought, 'Please stop'." The 62-year-old eventually rode out the storm and was reinstated by the BBC after they were forced to broadcast Match of the Day without a presenter, pundits or commentary. BBC director general Tim Davie backed down before announcing a review of the broadcaster's impartiality agreement. Lineker refused to back down, but found the whole episode 'pretty sad'. He was particularly touched by his Match of the Day colleagues Alan Shearer and Ian Wright's decision to refuse to work in solidarity with him. 'I'm absolutely baffled by the obsession of some of our media with what I say,' he added. 'I don't understand it. I don't preach, I don't tell people what to do. I've deliberately avoided doing that. 'I'm just a bloke who used to play football and who now talks about it. I have an interest in politics, but I'm not running for parliament or anything like that.){kind=link}
Gary Lineker has opened up on the fiasco which enveloped the BBC in March after he was suspended for tweeting criticism of the Government’s bill on illegal migrants
Gary Lineker says that he was given a standing ovation by members of the public in Marks and Spencer during the row over his suspension by the BBC.
The Match of the Day presenter was taken off air by the broadcaster in March after he refused to apologise for tweeting criticism of the Government’s bill on illegal migrants. Lineker had compared the language used to launch a Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany on Twitter.
His words sparked an almighty backlash, with the BBC descending into chaos after many of Lineker’s colleagues boycotted their roles in support of the former England striker. Lineker received widespread support from his BBC colleagues â and he says that support was also shown by the public.
He told the Telegraph: “I recall walking to M&S two or three days in, and I got a standing ovation… Well, I suppose everybody’s standing in M&S, but even so. It was really cringe. I didn’t know what to do. I just thought, ‘Please stop’.”