Breaking news: Gary Lineker ends BBC jibe row with apology to Frank Lampard

Gary Lineker has finally apologised to Frank Lampard, two years after a BBC comment about the Coventry City manager’s thinning hair went viral during Euro 2024 coverage.

The awkward moment originally took place during the European Championship in Germany, where Lineker and Lampard were working together for the BBC in a studio overlooking fans in Berlin. While joking about supporters being able to see the back of their heads from below, Lineker made a remark about Lampard’s hairline that quickly spread across social media.

Now hosting The Rest is Football podcast alongside Netflix, Lineker used Lampard’s recent appearance on the show to clear the air. Before discussing the ongoing World Cup, the former England striker revisited the incident and admitted he had long owed Lampard an apology.

Lineker explained that he had originally been referring to everyone in the studio when discussing the camera angle from behind, but acknowledged the comment came across badly when directed at Lampard. He admitted he felt embarrassed after seeing the reaction online and regretted how the moment unfolded.

Lampard, joined on the show by former Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole and Alan Shearer, took the situation in good spirits. He joked that sitting between Cole and Shearer on the panel felt like Lineker’s way of making up for the old remark, while adding that his current television role means people regularly comment on the back of his head anyway.

Lineker also reflected on how uncomfortable he felt after the clip went viral, revealing he had not seen Lampard since the incident and feared he had handled the situation poorly. However, the pair appeared to move on from the awkward moment with plenty of humour.

Lampard also revealed that Lineker had reached out to him following Coventry City’s painful Championship play-off semi-final defeat last season, a gesture that helped ease the disappointment and further repaired their relationship.