Gary Lineker speaks out on Richard Sharp's exit as BBC chairman

Writing on Twitter, Lineker said: "The BBC chairman should not be selected by the Government of the day. Not now, not ever."

Lineker was taken off air last month after posting a tweet about Rishi Sunak's illegal immigration policy.

The 62-year-old returned to TV screens after fellow pundits boycotted the BBC's Premier League programme in solidarity.

Sharp announced his resignation this morning following an investigation into whether he breached public appointment rules by Adam Heppinstall KC.

The inquiry found two potential non-disclosure breaches after Sharp told Johnson he wished to apply to become the broadcaster's chair ahead of his application and after the former investment banker informed the journalist-turned-politician he was going to introduce Sam Blyth and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to "assist the former Prime Minister with his personal finances".

Sharp claimed the alleged breaches were "inadvertent" and revealed he would stay on as BBC chairman until a replacement is found.

Pressure first mounted on Sharp after he allegedly helped Johnson secure a £800,000 loan guarantee.

Speaking this morning, the ex-Goldman Sachs employee said: "I've always maintained the breach was inadvertent and not material, which the facts he lays out substantiate."

Sharp, who previously worked alongside Rishi Sunak, continued: "Nevertheless, I have decided that it is right to prioritise the interest of the BBC.

"I feel that this matter may well be a distraction from the corporation's good work were I to remain in post until the end of my term.

"I have therefore this morning resigned as BBC chair to the Secretary of State and to the board.

"It was proposed to me that I stay on as chair until the end of June while the process to appoint my successor is undertaken and I will of course do that in the interests of the corporation's stability and continuity."

Lineker's intervention comes after the BBC backed down from its decision to drop the ex-Leicester and Barcelona forward.

Lineker, who first presented Match of the Day in 1999, compared Sunak's immigration policy with 1930s Germany.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said that the broadcaster faced “a difficult balancing act” between its “commitment to impartiality… and a commitment to freedom of expression".

He added: “Accordingly, we are announcing a review led by an independent expert — reporting to the BBC — on its existing social media guidance, with a particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs.

"The BBC and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review.”

Davie also confirmed Lineker agreed to abide by current guidelines while the BBC's review takes place.