Gary Lineker

Gary Lineker’s production company, Goalhanger, is said to be looking at ‘exciting new formats’ which may include a food programme potentially starring a huge celebrity chef

Gary Lineker is set to go head-to-head with the BBC as he plans a new cookery show that could rival MasterChef, it has been claimed.

According to reports, the broadcaster’s production company, Goalhanger, which currently produces The Rest Is.. series is looking at “exciting new formats” which could include a new food programme. Gary, 65, has been passionate about food since the coronavirus lockdown, and regularly cooks for friends and family, a source said.

Amid claims he might work on a new food show, a few names have been floated around as potential hosts – including Jamie Oliver. However, currently any details of a potential show are under wraps as no plans have yet been confirmed.

Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed: “Since lockdown Gary has become a massive foodie, and is regularly in the kitchen conjuring up feasts for friends and family. Doing a food show has long been his dream, but he didn’t know if he could.”

The insider added: “Last week the board held meetings to discuss new formats, and a brilliant new cookery show was front and centre. A few names, including Jamie’s, were thrown around, and an ad has now gone up looking for an experienced producer.

“Food content is absolutely massive on TikTok and Instagram, and this would be a natural extension of this – giving people what they want in a new, longer-form way, but with brilliant, hugely clippable moments being pushed online. Everyone is really excited.”

According to the publication, however, Jamie’s “incredibly busy schedule” means he may not be able to host the show. Currently, it’s not clear which platform a potential show by Gary would air on, but since he left the BBC last year, his The Rest Is Football podcast moved to Netflix.

It comes weeks after Gary managed to find his way on to the latest BBC high earners list despite officially working for just two months in the past financial year. The corporation revealed its annual report for 2025/26, and published its annual list of earnings of some of its highest-paid stars.

He still managed to earn £325,000-£329,999 in his final months. Gary was previously the highest paid presenter on £1.35 million a year. Other top earners at the BBC last year included Greg James, Stephen Nolan, Laura Kuenssberg, Vernon Kay and Alan Shearer. Since leaving the BBC in May last year, the TV presenter went on to sign new contracts with ITV and Netflix.

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The Prime Minister announced he would be leaving his role

Martin Lewis has moved swiftly to rule himself out of any political role following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation. Sir Keir confirmed earlier today that he will ‘resign as leader of the Labour Party‘.

The announcement follows a slump in poll ratings and Andy Burnham’s resounding win in the Makerfield by-election. In an emotional address outside Downing Street, Sir Keir announced his departure less than two years after sweeping to power in a landslide victory.

As has happened before, the news prompted widespread calls for money-saving expert Mr Lewis to be put forward as a potential Prime Minister. Fresh data from Focaldata indicates the 54 year old would prove an enormously popular pick amongst the British public, alongside the much-loved Sir David Attenborough.

However, in a post on social media, Mr Lewis firmly ruled himself out of the running by saying, ‘I don’t want to join any political party’. He said: “After a few “throw your hat in the ring!” messages…

1. I don’t want to join any political party

2. I’d rather wire my nipples to electrodes (& not in a good way)

“Tho the geekdom of this pop-culture politics piece is a mix of flattering, funny & scary.”

The Focaldata research revealed that Sir Keir, Reform leader Nigel Farage, and Green Party leader Zack Polanski were amongst the least favoured candidates for PM. Kemi Badenoch was the sole major party leader to achieve a positive approval rating (+2), pointing to wider cross-party appeal.

It read: “Martin Lewis and David Attenborough, who would immediately surpass William Gladstone’s record for oldest serving Prime Minister, are the breakout leaders. They sit head and shoulders above everyone else with best-worst scores of +37 apiece, practically putting them in their own “national treasure status” sub-quadrant.

“Both command cross-party consensus, recording positive scores across every voting intention group. Stephen Fry, Big John, and Louis Theroux also have positive best-worst scores across every major party.

“Piers Morgan, Jeremy Clarkson, and Gary Lineker, somewhat unsurprisingly, varied a lot from party to party. While Piers Morgan and Jeremy Clarkson are viewed positively by Conservative voters, Reform voters, and those intending not to vote, they are viewed negatively by parties on the left.

“Gary Lineker is almost the exact opposite, doing better among Green, and Labour voters although he is still viewed as a good candidate for PM by those saying they won’t vote.”

The survey presented 1,060 Brits with the names of 25 celebrities, TV personalities, politicians, and sports stars. These were then matched up against each other in groups of five, with participants asked in each round who they would most and least like to see as PM.