Gary Lineker will be reined in by new BBC impartiality rules on social media
GARY Lineker, Lord Alan Sugar and Strictly Come Dancing stars will be reined in by new BBC impartiality rules.
They are among the flagship show presenters covered by fresh guidelines published by the broadcaster following a row about Match of the Day host Lineker’s political posts on social media.
Lineker, 62, yesterday declared the rules “all very sensible”.
The guidance applies to presenters who have “a particular responsibility to respect the corporation’s impartiality, because of their profile on the BBC”.
It states that while a programme is on air, and for two weeks before and after the series, the hosts must not endorse or attack a political party, criticise the character of politicians, or comment on any issue of political debate during an election period.
The TV hosts in the spotlight are Lineker, Lord Sugar and The Apprentice team, plus the cast of Strictly, including Tess Daly, 54, and Claudia Winkleman, 51.
Also under scrutiny in the list are the hosts of Antiques Roadshow, Dragons’ Den, The One Show, Masterchef, Top Gear and major sporting events.
Former ITN boss John Hardie, who produced the report for the BBC, said: “The previous guidance said to not take sides on issues which are party political or political controversies.
“This new approach says you can do that, so long as you stay to the facts of the issue itself.”