Gary Lineker said the clothing range made it easy for him to coordinate his style
Gary Lineker has stopped wearing his own-brand clothing to present the Euros coverage after appearing to flout BBC guidelines in a T-shirt and jacket from his own range.
The presenter introduced the Portugal vs Czech Republic game from the BBC studio in a dark olive shirt,which does not appear to be part of Lineker’s collection at Next.
During Sunday’s BBC coverage of England vs Serbia he was in the same outfit that he wears in a promotional video for the high street chain.
It is understood that managers at BBC Sport spoke to Lineker after learning of the rule break,although the corporation refused to confirm it.
BBC guidelines state: “Presenters or other individuals must not appear on-air wearing clothing or using products or services which they have agreed/been contracted to promote,advertise or endorse or in which they have a specific financial interest.”
It is said to have irked other BBC staff,who believe he has carte blanche to behave as he likes.
One presenter told The Times: “I absolutely love clothes,would love to be sponsored,but it’s definitely not allowed.”
Lineker presented the latest Match of the Day show in an olive shirt
The BBC would not comment on individuals but said that presenters and contributors “are regularly reminded of the guidelines in relation to clothing,even if they are not doing proactive promotional work”.
However,the corporation has commented on individuals in similar situations. During the 2022 World Cup it said that managers had spoken to Alex Scott after she promoted her brand deal with Reiss and told her not to do it again.
Lineker also breached the guidelines during the 2018 World Cup by promoting a TM Lewin shirt on Instagram after signing a deal to become the face of the brand.
On that occasion,the broadcaster said Lineker had made “a genuine mistake”.
Discussing the clothes he wears on screen,he told OK! magazine: “I’ve always got my own clothes and I’ve always dressed myself on TV. There’s no wardrobe budget at BBC Sport so we all dress ourselves.”
Collaborating with the retailer had improved his fashion sense,he claimed. “I’m not necessarily brilliant at putting things together. At least it makes it easier to get dressed for events now. I’ve got all these pictures so I can remember what goes with what,” he said.
Lineker also promoted the Next collaboration in an interview with The Guardian,saying: “I think it’s because it’s British – from Leicester. And then they came to us with a range and I kind of liked it.
“It’s quite flattering that,in my grand old age,I can still do something like this.”
The range previously landed Lineker in trouble with Peta,the animal rights group,after he was pictured modelling a mohair suit jacket. Mohair is “made from the hair of abused goats”,Peta said.
Next did not respond to a request for comment.
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