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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Countdown's Susie Dent issues withering dig at BBC over Gary Lineker with 'word of the day'

Fans are convinced Countdown star Susie Dent has taken a swipe at the BBC with her latest 'word of the day' selection.

She couldn't resist a topical dig at the corporation as the fall out continues following Gary Lineker being stood down from Match of the Day.

The popular pundit has been hauled over the coals by bosses following his tweet on the government's controversial asylum policies.

Susie didn't miss the chance to add to the debate after picking yesterday's word 'mumpsimuses'.

She defines it as: "Those who insist they are right and apportion blame to others without looking at themselves."

Susie Dent has no impartiality guidelines to stick to (Rachel Joseph/ Channel 4)
She appeared to offer Gary Lineker some support (BBC/Pete Dadds)

Her followers were quick to pick up on it - and many took it as a poke at the beeb.

One told her: "Susie you truly are a legend. I take it you are boycotting presenting the football program tomorrow?"

Another said: "The beauty of words to encapsulate the feelings of lots of the nation!"

A third posted: "Topical again Susie. Have you been asked to do Match Of The Day?"

It's not the first time much-loved Susie has put her Word of the Day to good use.

Last year she couldn't resist a cutting dig at Boris Johnson after the shameless Prime Minister refused to resign after being fined over Partygate.

Not missing a beat, she brilliantly tweeted: "Word of the day is 'maw-worm' (19th century): one who insists that they have done nothing wrong, despite evidence to the contrary."

The fall out continues as the public rage over Gary's treatment as the former football star stays silent on twitter.

The 62-year-old likened the Home Office’s plans to ‘Germany in the 30s’ and refused to back down.

The star has been stood down from Match of the Day - and everyone has a view (Getty Images)

The presenter was suspended from the BBC for breaching impartiality guidelines and in a dramatic escalation the broadcaster has been met with a major backlash from several of Lineker's Match of the Day colleagues who will boycott tonight's programme.

A BBC spokesperson said he would be off air until an agreement was reached on his future use of social media.

A statement read said: “Some of our pundits have said that they don’t wish to appear on the programme while we seek to resolve the situation with Gary.

The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.

“We understand their position and we have decided that the programme will focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry.”

Since the controversy kicked off, stars and and politicians have voiced their support for Gary - with a mass walk out going ahead tonight.

Jeremy Clarkson and nemesis Piers Morgan have also hit out at the decision as they backed they pundits' and commentators' decision to show solidarity.

The broadcaster says it is "committed" to achieving due impartiality in all output.

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