Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling has described Gary Lineker as a "top-notch" presenter in a light-hearted comment about the BBC's ongoing impartiality crisis.
The BBC forced Lineker to "step back" from presenting Match of the Day after he dared to criticise the government's inflammatory language towards migrants. BBC chiefs claim Lineker has breached their impartiality guidelines, but their decision has led to a backlash.
The BBC has previously allowed the likes of Andrew Neil and Alan Sugar to make political statements, while their chairman Richard Sharp is a Tory donor. More than 150,000 people have signed a potential - led by The Mirror - for Lineker to be reinstated.
Stelling joked about Lineker's axe during his intro to Soccer Saturday this weekend. "I need to be at the top of my game today, as there is a top-notch football presenter available on Saturdays now," said Stelling, who has supported Lineker in recent days.
The row between Lineker and the BBC started when Rishi Sunak's Conservative government unveiled their new Illegal Migration Bill on Tuesday. The controversial legislation was criticised by many - including human rights organisations and Lineker.
Lineker described the policy - which aims to detain migrants who enter the country via illegal routes without bail or judicial review before being deported and blocked from returning - as "beyond awful". He has also questioned the government's rhetoric.
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Lineker has been applauded for his bravery, but right-wing political commentators and Tory politicians called for the BBC to sack him for allegedly breaching impartiality guidelines. After Lineker stood by his comments, BBC chiefs made a controversial call.
Ian Wright immediately responded to Lineker's axe by refusing to appear on Match of the Day. Almost every presenter and pundit has followed suit - forcing the BBC to broadcast Saturday night's edition of Match of the Day without a studio presentation.
The BBC were also forced to pull the plug on Football Focus, Final Score and their radio coverage. Mirror Football understands the BBC will have live commentary of Leeds vs Brighton at 3pm, with experienced broadcaster Ian Dennis providing the coverage.
Wright has confirmed he will permanently quit the BBC if Lineker is not reinstated. The Arsenal legend told the Wrighty's House podcast, "Let me tell you something if the BBC do get rid of Gary Lineker I am out. I am gone, I am not staying there.
"On his own platform, he should be able to say what he wants to say. Gary Lineker, he says stuff on everything and it's almost like this one has missed everybody simply because he says so much but this is so right what he is saying. I have spoken to Gary, I am behind him."
Lineker was spotted leaving his home in Barnes, London on Saturday morning to attend the Premier League game against Leicester and Chelsea in the afternoon. The legendary footballer was quizzed by reporters but refused to break his silence.
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.
