Imagine settling in for a relaxing day of top-tier tennis—only to spend it squished beside a towering heavyweight champion.
That was the reality for Gary Lineker when he attended Wimbledon recently.
The former Match of the Day presenter found himself sharing a tight Centre Court seat with none other than 6ft 7in Anthony Joshua, and let’s just say, things got a bit cramped.
Legroom Drama on Centre Court
Lineker, joined by his youngest son, had some good laughs watching thrilling matches with boxing champ Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn.
But while the conversation was light-hearted, the seating arrangement was anything but.
Recounting the ordeal on The Rest is Football podcast, Gary shared the not-so-glamorous side of celebrity tennis-watching: “I was sitting next to Anthony, and he’s obviously huge.
His legs were spread out because there just wasn’t enough space.”
As a result, Gary had to awkwardly squeeze himself to the side for nearly seven hours.
“It got to the stage where I was getting cramps in my inner thigh,” he admitted.
“I wanted to shout—but I didn’t have the guts to tell him to move a bit. Not a chance.”
No Hard Feelings—Just a Bit of Pain
Despite the discomfort, Lineker was quick to say it was all in good humour.
“He’s a lovely guy. We had a proper laugh and great company all afternoon,” Gary said, clearly unfazed by the lack of personal space in the end.
Before settling into his tight seat, Lineker was spotted looking stylish as ever—strolling through the All England Club in a sleek navy suit and sunglasses, just as the third-round singles matches were getting underway.
From Centre Court to Controversy
But Wimbledon wasn’t the only headline Gary Lineker made this week.
His appearance at Glastonbury stirred even more chatter—this time for comments aimed directly at his former employer, the BBC.
Speaking on stage with DJ and farming advocate Andy Cato, Gary didn’t hold back.
Reflecting on his 30-year run at the broadcaster, he said, “I think they’ve lost their way a little bit.”
Taking a Stand at Glastonbury
The ex-England striker, who stepped down early from his BBC role amid controversy over a social media post some labeled anti-Semitic, hinted that something deeper was happening behind the scenes.
He suggested there may be an “agenda” at the very top of the corporation.
And just before leaving the Glastonbury stage, Lineker made his position even clearer—calling out loudly, “Free Palestine,” a statement that’s bound to spark further public debate.
What Comes Next for Lineker?
Now that Gary Lineker has officially parted ways with the BBC and isn’t afraid to speak his mind, the question on everyone’s lips is—what’s next?
Will we see him launch his own platform?
Join another network?
Or simply enjoy life, even if it means battling leg cramps beside boxing legends at sporting events?
Whatever happens next, one thing’s certain—he won’t be keeping quiet.