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

Lineker, 64, will leave the corporation after this weekend’s Match Of The Day and will not front BBC coverage of the 2026 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, he 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.”