Gary Lineker is to film a pilot ITV game show.
Gary Lineker
The 'Match of the Day' presenter - who earned £1.75 million from the BBC in 2018/19 - will front a standalone episode of the new "high-tension" quiz programme, 'Sitting on a Fortune', in Manchester in a couple of weeks.
A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column: "ITV have always been a great admirer of Gary's work, so asked if he'd like to front a new pilot they're recording with a view to a full series.
"It might raise a few eyebrows given how much he earns at the BBC, but he is allowed to work for other broadcasters."
Contestants will be tasked with answering "tricky questions" correctly in a bid to scoop a "life-changing sum" of money on the show.
In July, Gary was revealed as the biggest star earner at the BBC in 2018/19, taking home between £1,750,000 and £1,754,999 for Saturday football highlights show 'Match of the Day', 'Sports Personality of the Year' and the 2018 'World Cup' coverage.
While Gary came under fire from some via social media, 'Good Morning Britain' co-host Piers Morgan defended the TV presenter, insisting Gary would be paid more if he jumped ship to ITV.
He said: "He's getting paid the market rate. He's getting paid, I would argue, less than he could get paid almost anywhere else.
"If ITV came in for Gary Lineker now they'd pay him more than he gets from the BBC. I guarantee it.
"You can say ... 'You can get a gazillion nurses for a Lineker' but that's not how the reality of the marketplace works in television."
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