Gary Lineker has publicly thanked a London taxi driver named Jim for returning his lost wallet, fulfilling the cabbie's sole request for recognition on The Rest Is Football podcast. The 64-year-old presenter shared the heartwarming story during the programme's latest episode alongside co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
"So Jim, the Fulham fan, thank you very much indeed," Lineker said on the podcast, honouring the driver's modest wish for a mention on the show," he said.
The former BBC presenter had left his wallet in the back of a black taxi approximately three months ago. The honest cabbie's identity remained a mystery until a chance encounter brought them together again.
Lineker recounted how he had spent an anxious night contemplating whether to cancel his credit cards after discovering his wallet was missing.
A cab driver gave Gary Lineker his wallet back
| RESTISFOOTBALL"And then I thought, 'I'll wait until the morning before I cancel my cards,'" he said.
"And I woke up the next morning, came down the stairs and my wallet had been pushed through the letterbox."
The presenter expressed his relief at the time, saying: "So that was, 'Yes! Thank you very much.'"
Despite his gratitude, Lineker was unable to identify his benefactor through his taxi booking history, leaving him unable to properly thank the honest driver who had gone out of his way to return the lost property.
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The reunion occurred three months later when Lineker's son George ordered a taxi from their home. As the presenter saw his son outside, the driver called out: "Hey Gary, did you get your wallet back?"
"I went, 'It was you?!'" Lineker recalled, describing his surprise at finally discovering the identity of his Good Samaritan.
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George Lineker is Gary's oldest son
| PAThe presenter had been eager to express his gratitude properly.
"I said, 'I was trying to find out who it was on the history and all of that sort of stuff but I couldn't, I just wanted to say thank you,'" he explained.
Jim, who revealed himself to be a Fulham supporter, remained characteristically modest about his good deed when finally identified.
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When Lineker attempted to reward the cabbie for his honesty, Jim firmly declined any compensation.
"[He was like], 'No, I don't want anything, I don't want anything!'" Lineker recounted.
"I said, 'Okay, well you're taking George now, let me give him something to give you a big tip with,'" he explained.
Gary Lineker's 28 year tenure at the BBC ended earlier this year
| ReutersJim remained adamant in his refusal and said all he wanted was a shoutout on the pdcast
The touching story prompted a characteristic quip from Alan Shearer.
"What I would say to Jim is that he's seen more than we have because we've never seen your f***ing wallet," the former England striker joked, causing laughter from Richards and guest Alex Aljoe.