Graham Linehan has launched a scathing attack on Gary Lineker, branding the former footballer the biggest coward in Britain.
The Father Ted creator took aim at the Match of the Day presenter in a social media post, accusing him of refusing to address the issue of male athletes competing in women's sport.
Mr Linehan also criticised Mr Lineker for remaining quiet on the situation in Iran.
"Is there a bigger coward in the UK than @GaryLineker?" Linehan wrote. "Refused to speak on men in women's sports and now silent on Iran."
Graham Linehan fumed at Gary Lineker
| GB NEWSThe television writer's broadside came as he shared another user's post that sarcastically noted Mr Lineker's apparent lack of public comment on Iranian affairs.
The post Mr Linehan amplified took a pointed swipe at the BBC presenter's commentary on global issues.
"Delighted to report @GaryLineker doesn't feel the need to cry every day about Iranian children mown down by security forces in the street," the original message read.
It continued: "Or at least, if he does, he doesn't feel he needs to tell anyone. It's important that, as Iran fights for freedom, Gary feels comfortable."
Gary Lineker was labelled a 'coward' by the comedian
| PAMr Lineker has previously courted controversy for his outspoken views on various topics, though he has not publicly responded to Mr Linehan's latest criticism.
Mr Linehan has himself been at the centre of controversy in recent months, having been convicted of criminal damage at Westminster Magistrates' Court in November 2025.
The 57-year-old comedy writer, best known for creating Father Ted, was found guilty of damaging a trans activist's mobile phone during an altercation outside a London conference venue.
However, the court cleared him of separate harassment allegations relating to social media posts.
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Graham Linehan was cleared of harassment in November
| GETTYThe charges arose from incidents involving trans woman Sophia Brooks in October 2024.
Prosecutors had alleged that Linehan subjected Brooks to online harassment over a 16-day period, describing his posts as "repeated, abusive, unreasonable."
The magistrates ultimately rejected this charge whilst convicting him on the phone damage count.
The physical confrontation that resulted in the criminal damage conviction took place on 19 October 2024, when Brooks began filming Linehan outside the venue.
Graham Linehan X post
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The comedy writer acknowledged in court that he had been angry during the encounter and admitted throwing the phone.
Brooks gave evidence that Linehan had directed insults including "sissy porn-watching scumbag," "groomer" and "disgusting incel" at them, to which the activist responded: "You're the incel, you're divorced."
Mr Linehan told the court that trans activists had made his life "hell" and characterised Brooks as "a young soldier in the trans activist army."
His legal team argued that Brooks had deliberately engaged in behaviour intended to provoke and harass their client.
Linehan denied both charges throughout proceedings but was convicted on the criminal damage count.