Alan Shearer shows true Gary Lineker colours as BBC return hint dropped

Alan Shearer has responded to Gary Lineker securing the Best Presenter gong at this year's National Television Awards. The 64-year-old departed his position as Match of the Day host in May following a 26-year tenure fronting the BBC's flagship football highlights programme.

His departure stemmed from a social media post featuring a rat emoji, a symbol with historical antisemitic connotations when used to represent Jewish people. Lineker promptly deleted the post and offered multiple apologies, yet it was determined he would leave the BBC 12 months ahead of schedule.

The former England forward has now scooped the NTA's Best Presenter prize. Lineker's victory has brought an end to Ant and Dec's remarkable streak of 23 successive wins.

"Yesssss @GaryLineker congratulations," MOTD pundit Shearer posted on X (Twitter) following the announcement. Many might have anticipated Newcastle United icon Shearer would back his fellow Geordies Ant and Dec, yet the former Premier League star championed Lineker instead.

Lineker has also addressed the prospect of returning to the BBC. "I really don't know ... I'm really looking forward to working with ITV... I'm not so sure [with the BBC]," he commented backstage.

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During the most recent instalment of The Rest Is Football podcast, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker disclosed his NTA nomination. He said: "I'm going to the NTAs tonight, I've been nominated chaps, nominated, how about that?"

Both Shearer and Micah Richards offered their mate some words of encouragement, with the latter joking: "Aw, go on Gaz, have you got any wind? Have you sent a text out or what to say, 'I'm only turning up if I'm getting the award.'".

He laughed off the suggestion, and insisted it was the "Ant and Dec award anyway," hinting he thought he had little hope of winning. Shearer acted shocked before adding: "I have voted for you, though."