The presenter is currently ‘struggling with his voice’ (Picture: REUTERS)
Gary Lineker cancelled his appearance on Match of the Day Live due to his voice ‘deteriorating.’
The sports pundit, 62, was removed from the football highlights programme last weekend after criticism of government policy on Twitter and the BBC’s sport coverage was thrown into chaos as pundits, commentators and other presenters refused to work in solidarity.
The matter was resolved, with the BBC relenting and Lineker resumed hosting duties this week.
However, the star was forced to skip Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final between Brighton & Hove Albion and Grimsby Town.
BBC Sport tweeted this morning: ‘Due to illness, we’ve got a line-up change for today’s live FA Cup coverage of Brighton v Grimsby on BBC One.
‘As viewers will have noticed yesterday, Gary Lineker was struggling with his voice and unfortunately it has deteriorated overnight. Alex Scott will be hosting instead.’
Lineker confirmed the news soon after, and couldn’t resist poking fun at his recent absence from the BBC, tweeting.
‘I’ve been silenced…. literally, by a nasty cold so, annoyingly, won’t be working at @OfficialBHAFC this afternoon.’
The pundit slammed the newly announced policy as ‘immeasurably cruel’ (Picture: Getty)
Following Linker’s absence last weekend, there was an outpouring of support for the former Leicester City player, with fellow broadcasters including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, also pulling out of the beloved programme.
When asked by LaLiga Sports TV about how his week has been on Friday, the former England striker said: ‘Really quiet. Nothing much going on. You could say it’s been an interesting week but I’m still here, still punching.
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‘It was interesting and also hugely gratifying, I had an amazing amount of support from my friends and colleagues which was quite beautiful actually.
‘It was totally disproportionate the whole thing but we’re OK. It’s resolved, I’m relieved, I’m back to work tomorrow and all is well with the world.’
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‘I’ve been silenced…. literally, by a nasty cold.’