Gary Lineker, the famed former England striker and longtime television presenter, is stepping back into the spotlight with a brand-new role: host of ITV’s upcoming game show, The Box. On August 8, 2025, ITV confirmed that Lineker will headline the UK adaptation of the fast-selling Norwegian format, with the series slated to air in 2026. The announcement signals not only a new chapter for Lineker but also a bold move for ITV as it continues to chase the next big reality TV hit.
For Lineker, this new gig comes after a dramatic and highly publicized exit from the BBC. After 25 seasons at the helm of Match of the Day and eight years as the BBC’s highest-paid presenter—earning a final salary of £1.35 million ($1.79 million)—Lineker’s departure was accelerated following a controversial social media post in early 2025. The post, which included an emoji many considered antisemitic, led to his final BBC appearance in late May. Lineker apologized, stating, “I would never consciously repost an antisemitic trope,” but the incident marked the end of his storied BBC tenure.
Despite the controversy, Lineker has remained active, albeit more quietly, continuing to appear on his popular football podcast, The Rest is Football, alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Produced by his own company, Goalhanger Films, the podcast—and its wider “Rest is…” franchise—has kept Lineker’s voice in the public ear. But for many fans, his return to television in a major hosting role is the real headline.
So, what exactly is The Box? According to ITV, the show “will thrust our celebrity contestants into a show like no other.” Each episode features ten yellow boxes, each containing a celebrity contestant. These contestants are transported to unknown locations, only to be released and face unique games they know nothing about. The twist? Every week, two players must face off in “The Duel,” a dramatic finale in which the loser leaves the competition for good. It’s a format designed for suspense, unpredictability, and high-stakes drama—something Lineker himself finds thrilling.
“I’ve always felt right at home in the box on a football pitch and whilst this is a different proposition, the fundamentals are similar,” Lineker said in a statement released by ITV. “The contestants will have to quickly and masterfully work out how each game works, whilst also trying to get ahead of the competition to take control. It’s going to be unpredictable and thrilling to watch, and I’m excited that I get to have a front row seat to all the action.”
The show’s pedigree is impressive. Originally developed by Seefood TV for TV2 in Norway, The Box has become one of the fastest-selling international formats of the past year, with at least ten versions already on air or in production worldwide. ITV swooped in to secure UK rights in February 2025, and the format’s arrival comes amid a wave of high-profile entertainment imports, following the success of shows like The Traitors, Destination X, and The Inheritance.
The UK version will be produced by Twofour, with Dan Adamson, Chief Content Officer at the company, expressing excitement over Lineker’s involvement: “We’re delighted to be making The Box with ITV and Seefood TV. From the first time we saw those iconic yellow boxes open in an incredible location we were hooked. Now, with Gary on board we have the ideal Master of Ceremonies to make this real event telly, he is after all a man who knows what it’s like under pressure in the box. He’s sure to raise the competitive spirit as our cast bursts out of those boxes, into unknown, ambitious and spectacular challenges.”
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning, echoed this sentiment, calling Lineker “the perfect fit for The Box, an entertaining, exhilarating and immersive new format.” The show will air on ITV1 and ITVX, as well as STV1 and STV Player for Scottish viewers. While there’s no official start date yet, filming is set to begin later in 2025, and anticipation is already building for its 2026 premiere.
Unlike many reality competitions, The Box won’t be open to the general public—contestants will be hand-picked celebrities, adding another layer of intrigue and spectacle. This approach follows a trend in UK television, where celebrity-driven formats have proven to be ratings winners, capturing the imagination of viewers eager to see familiar faces pushed to their limits.
Lineker’s move to ITV is also notable given his previous work with the broadcaster. Between 2021 and 2023, he hosted 13 episodes of ITV’s Sitting on a Fortune, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and engaging host. His return to the network is seen by many industry insiders as a natural fit, especially for a format that promises both unpredictability and star power.
The timing of Lineker’s appointment coincides with a significant shake-up at ITV. On the same day the news broke, ITV announced that Paul Mortimer, its long-serving Director of Reality and Acquisitions, would step down at the end of 2025. Mortimer, who joined ITV in 2012 and was instrumental in commissioning hits like Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, will be succeeded by Katie Rawcliffe, who will take on an expanded role. The channel’s reality slate and future commissions will now fall under her purview, while content acquisitions will report to Craig Morris, ITV’s new Director of Channels, ITVX, and Acquisitions.
Mortimer reflected on his tenure with characteristic enthusiasm: “I arrived with a mission to improve ratings amongst younger audiences and Love Island was a huge part of that. I’m therefore very pleased to see it still going strong—with the latest series growing its audience year on year. More recently, with a talented team of reality commissioners, we’ve landed some big hits on ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX with more coming down the line.”
As for Lineker, his career continues to evolve. Beyond his television and podcasting ventures, his production company Goalhanger recently struck a deal with Spain’s La Liga to provide match highlights and analysis, further expanding his media footprint. But it’s The Box that will put him back in front of millions of UK viewers, this time as the ringmaster of a high-concept reality competition.
With filming set for later this year and a 2026 air date on the horizon, all eyes will be on Lineker and ITV to see if The Box can live up to its international hype. For now, the stage is set, the boxes are ready, and Gary Lineker is eager to open the door to a new adventure.
