The energy at Wimbledon was unmistakable on Friday as celebrities mingled with tennis fans at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Among the famous faces enjoying day five of the tournament was Gary Lineker, who looked relaxed and cheerful, soaking in the summer sports vibe just days after stirring headlines with bold comments about the BBC.
Dressed sharply in a navy suit and stylish sunglasses, the 64-year-old former footballer turned broadcaster seemed unfazed by the recent controversy as he casually strolled through the venue ahead of third-round matches in the men’s and women’s singles.
UK Stars Take Centre Stage on Court
Friday’s match lineup included big moments for the UK, with Cameron Norrie and Sonay Kartal representing the nation in their respective events.
Fans braved the cooler weather, excited for the fierce international face-offs that followed.
Cameron Norrie was set to face off against France’s Mattia Bellucci, while Chile’s Nicolás Jarry clashed with Brazil’s Joao Fonseca.
On the women’s side, the UK’s Sonay Kartal battled France’s Diane Parry, and Germany’s Laura Siegemund took on Madison Keys from the US.
A-List Sightings: From Mary Berry to Anthony Joshua
Gary wasn’t the only public figure making an appearance at Wimbledon.
Dame Mary Berry turned heads in a stylish blue floral dress, matching perfectly with her daughter Annabel, who wore a coordinating design.
The pair were all smiles, clearly enjoying their mother-daughter day out.
Adventurer and broadcaster Ben Fogle also showed up with his wife Marina, both dressed in chic tennis whites.
The couple posed for photos before heading to their seats at Centre Court.
Boxing superstar Anthony Joshua created quite a buzz when he arrived, attracting crowds of enthusiastic fans who couldn’t wait to meet him.
His popularity was undeniable as people flocked to snap selfies and exchange greetings.
Gary Lineker Speaks Out Again — This Time at Glastonbury
While his appearance at Wimbledon was relaxed, Lineker’s recent remarks at Glastonbury Festival had a more serious tone.
During a Q&A session with Groove Armada’s Andy Cato, Gary made headlines by once again criticizing the BBC — and making a bold political statement as he ended his segment with the words: “Free Palestine.”
The former Match of the Day host didn’t hold back.
Reflecting on his departure from the BBC, which came a year earlier than expected, Gary suggested that some people in the upper echelons of the corporation were steering it in the wrong direction.
“There are so many brilliant people at the BBC,” he said, “but I don’t think the leadership currently reflects that.”
Digging Deeper Into His BBC Exit
Lineker, who co-runs the successful Goalhanger podcast company, explained that he left his BBC role after controversy surrounding a social media post that many called antisemitic.
He had shared a video from the group Palestine Lobby that included a rat emoji — a symbol historically linked to anti-Jewish propaganda.
The backlash was swift, and Gary removed the post, issuing a public apology.
“It was never my intention to share anything offensive or antisemitic,” he said.
“That image does not reflect my views. I take full responsibility.”
Balancing Advocacy With Accountability
Despite the criticism, Gary stood by his right to speak on humanitarian issues.
“If you have a platform and you don’t use it for good, what’s the point?” he asked the Glastonbury crowd.
Still, he admitted that the environment on social media had become increasingly toxic, leading him to step back from Twitter.
He now focuses more on Instagram to share his thoughts and updates.
A Subtle Dig at BBC Leadership
When asked directly about the BBC, Gary hinted that director-general Tim Davie was not entirely to blame.
“I actually feel sorry for him,” he shared.
“I believe there are people above him with their own agenda.”
His remarks came just weeks after his formal resignation as the BBC’s top-paid presenter, a role he held for 30 years.
The exit, sparked by a clash over political commentary and impartiality, marked a significant turning point in his media career.
A Clash of Schedules and Political Statements
Interestingly, Lineker mentioned he had hoped to watch Irish rap group Kneecap perform at Glastonbury — a group whose appearance stirred its own share of controversy, even drawing criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
However, his own appearance on stage conflicted with their set time, and so he missed it.
Before leaving, he made one final statement that echoed across headlines: “Free Palestine.”
What’s Next for Gary Lineker?
As Gary Lineker continues to navigate life after the BBC, he remains a divisive yet undeniably influential voice in both sports and social commentary.
Whether through his podcasts or public appearances, it’s clear that he’s not planning to stay quiet.
With the Wimbledon spotlight behind him and the Glastonbury mic no longer in his hand, all eyes will be on where he takes the conversation next.