[RhysJR]

Somebody who has often been named in passing in relation to this story, Andrew Neil, is on BBC Newcast.

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[qwerty123]

In the case of the likes of Lord Sugar or Mark Gatiss, The Apprentice is made by Fremantle and MGM TV so he's not actually employed by the BBC per se, Gatiss created Sherlock through Hartswood Films which again is an indie.

Is that distinction relevant enough to the general public though? They are all still major programmes made for the BBC. 

The BBC has nobody else to blame but itself for the mess it has made of this situation.

I think the general public would see a bigger distinction between sports and entertainment programming than they would between News and Current Affairs and Sports.
The reality is that the BBC Sport brand is extensively used during news programming in a way that entertainment brands are not and also many of those used on final score and match of the day work within the news and current affairs departments the rest of the week.
You also wouldn’t expect to see someone move from a drama or reality programme presenting the news but multiple people at the BBC move between News and Sport frequently, especially in the regions, again suggesting that BBC Sport falls under BBC News.

[Newshound47]

Sounds like the BBC may have to use Premier League Productions commentary or Radio commentary:

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Would the radio commentators be happy for their work to be aired in replacement of commentators effectively on strike.

[Kojak]

Is that distinction relevant enough to the general public though? They are all still major programmes made for the BBC. 

The BBC has nobody else to blame but itself for the mess it has made of this situation.

I think the general public would see a bigger distinction between sports and entertainment programming than they would between News and Current Affairs and Sports.
The reality is that the BBC Sport brand is extensively used during news programming in a way that entertainment brands are not and also many of those used on final score and match of the day work within the news and current affairs departments the rest of the week.

It's still not news, though. Well, sports news, I suppose, but not news news. Anyway, it's not as if Gary Lineker pops up during the week with the BBC Sport updates on the news channel. He only really does Match of the Day and the odd big football match. He's no more a part of the rank-and-file BBC Sport department than you or I.

[Spencer]

This has to be the most active this forum has been since launch. I’m loving every second, it’s like live tweeting when watching a reality show.

And I’d like to compliment everyone on a respectful and grown up discussion despite how intrinsically linked with very divisive politics the whole issue is.

Considering how things tended to degenerate into unpleasantness on this forum’s predecessors, it’s refreshing to be able to follow a lively but polite discussion. Thanks to the mods for cutting us the required amount of slack to be able to debate this properly and treating us as adults.

[London Lite]

Lineker is playing this game as well as his performances at Italia 90.

[Alf Stewart]

Lineker is playing this game as well as his performances at Italia 90.

He's probably sat at home. Feet up, cold beer wondering what to do with an unexpected saturday night off. 

One things for sure, he's not fretting as much h as some BBC execs are right now.

[Adsales]

Lineker is playing this game as well as his performances at Italia 90.

Lol he has managed to feature on every front page and pushed the Sunak/Macron deal to either not being mentioned at all or only with a tiny headline.

[Milkshake]

What an absolute mess this has become, However it's a very simple matter, which Ive now come to release, and Ive changed my tune., if Gary can say what he likes. Answer is No, he has a wider responsibility:

Gary Lineker has alienated nearly half the audience, and the battle lines which have now appear is making so clear where people stand.

Trouble is Gary is also one of the highest paid people within the BBC on a Flagship show.... which means keep you mouth shout, because your going to hack off someone, and the BBC is for everyone, that what this is really all about.

Its going to overshadow everything..

[matthieu1221]

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