Gary Lineker - man of integrity

I remember Nigella Lawson hosting a chat show that was awful.It made me realise how difficult something like that is to get right.

There's a skills difference between commentating on a match (and short after-interviews with the 2 teams or player) and hosting a whole discussion programme, week on week or a 2/3 week tournament of some kind.

I cannot stand the man, good riddance!

I’ve got to be honest and say that there was a woman presenter during the snooker and I didn’t really feel that she knew the subject very well. I’m saying that as someone who knows nothing about snooker but my partner, who does understand the game, agreed with me. It was just a gut feeling.

I’m not being intentionally controversial, but I watch quite a bit of football, and if I’m honest I’m not keen at all on women commentating on the mens game, or on men commentating on the womens game. The games are played differently, and I far prefer to have a commentator who has played that game themselves. I’d don’t mind Clare Balding on tennis (prefer her on equestrian) , but I preferred Sue Barker, for the same reason. Excellent commentators are as rare as hens teeth unfortunately.

Sue Barker -the best, but I like Clare Balding. I think she’s a good presenter. I hope they don’t overdo her appearances though.

Hazel Irving is good, too. Seems to have been around forever. Clare is good at everything she does. I remember how upset she was when, having just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, she then lost her contract with the BBC. But she just reinvented herself. I always think a good presenter is someone that you think you could have a good natter to if you found yourself sitting next to them on a train,

Gabby Logan .

I miss Sue Barker at Wimbledon

Yes, how could I forget Sue Barker!

Interesting article on changes in how women are viewed as sports presentations - from the realm of "eye candy" to straightforward presenters, the BBC comes out well.

theinclusionpost.com/not-just-a-pretty-face-the-rise-of-female-sport-presenters/

But look at Clare Balding heading up Wimbledon

Clare Balding heads up a lot of programmes, sometimes the BBCis in danger of giving their presenters too much exposure.

Sue Barker will always be the best and as host of QofS.

OldEnough2noBetter

MrsQuigley

Rather hoping that when he has gone the Beeb will have lots more money to produce more of their excellent drama series.

They won't. They'll hire another white middle-aged middle-class man and throw tons of money at him instead for a few decades till he messes it all up with some sort of scandal. Look at their past history. They never learn.

No they won't!

There are well known female footie presenters Vicki Sparks and Kelly Somers.

And ever increasing women sports commentators on footie matches especially as women’s footie becomes ever more popular.

Obviously they aren't as well known outside footie circles as years and years of famous male ones but change has been afoot for number of years.

But look at Clare Balding heading up Wimbledon.

One has to be anti semitic from birth “Wyllow* ?

You've lost me there, Annie: I clearly deplore all depictions of humans when animals are used as degrading metaphors and gave the cartoon example as an across the board use

but made it clear that many people don't register a connection.

Yes I believe Linekar did not realise its significance and one reason I do so is that in his long history of political involvement Linekar has no "previous" record at all of anti semitic statements.

Casdon

As a football host and commentator Lineker was the best, none of the others touch him. He has always been outspoken, but has now put his foot in it one too many times, and he has held his hands up. As far as I’m concerned that is it, and I hope it doesn’t break him.

I agree.

Cossy

JaneJudge

I didn’t know the rat was antisemitic either
I just thought it meant rat. So many emojis I don’t know the meaning of like Purple Heart fgs all the hearts mean different things. I am just not woke enough

It’s nothing to do with being woke 😂😂😂😂 I’m guessing it’s more the younger lot who attaché meanings to all the emojis - I had no idea about the rat, but then again I was late to the “aubergine” party too. 😂😂

Me too.

I still like aubergines!

Cossy ... the "aubergine" party 😂😂😂😂

Yes, I thought the post perfectly clear too

I understand what Wyllow means. Her post is perfectly clear.

Being a link person is not as easy as it looks. And Lineker is peerless in that respect.

Linker submitted a post but didn’t know what he said !

Wyllow you described a cartoon calling Muslims rats yet
defend Lineker

MrsQuigley

Rather hoping that when he has gone the Beeb will have lots more money to produce more of their excellent drama series.

They won't. They'll hire another white middle-aged middle-class man and throw tons of money at him instead for a few decades till he messes it all up with some sort of scandal. Look at their past history. They never learn.

But to repeat for the nth time, Linekar like many GN's didn't know the specific allusion. As I said above, both sides in the terrible conflict have used a whole number of different animal comparisons as propaganda. Not just that - I just found a daily Mail cartoon from around the time of Brexit depicting Muslim migrants as rats. (and no, I'm not going to post it, its too disgusting)

All horrible wherever they come from and not something Linekar would have knowingly signed up to.

Oops sorry. Posted this on the wrong thread.

Age UK and RVS used to have volunteer befrienders. They would visit the home or meet up for coffee. People with similar interests were attempted to be matched. The volunteers are DBS checked. If this is still going it may help with the friendship/ future loneliness side of things Barry.

Wyllow3

Spot on analysis. He was such a great football commentator and host and you can't erase those achievements or peoples enjoyment of them.

There is speculation about"what next" from the sensible (podcasting) to the wild ("I'm a celebrity") but I imagine he will take his time, its all been very sudden in one way, in another, not so, as he has been more political off BBC screen as time has gone by.

Well, he gave us Goalhanger and surely no one can dispute the fact that The Rest is Politics is very well balanced politically and Leading gives everyone a chance to discuss their political beliefs ( apart from Farage, that is, who thus far has refused to be interviewed by them). The Rest is History is equally well balanced.