‘Match of the Day’ host Gary Lineker is in self isolation because his son George Lineker is displaying coronavirus symptoms.
The 59-year-old retired footballer will be staying at his home for the next two weeks in accordance with the UK government’s advice after George, 28, informed him that he thought that he may have contracted the potentially deadly respiratory disease after he lost his sense of taste and smell.
Taking to his Twitter account, Gary – who has four sons, George, Harry, Tobias and Angus, with his ex-wife Michelle Cockayne – tweeted: "In self isolation as @GeorgeLineker has symptoms. They’re not the regular ones, but complete loss of sense of taste and smell. Odd these have not been pointed out much. Been nearly a week and has spent time at mine. I’ve been vigilant, hand washing/distancing but isolation it is.
"Worth being careful if you lose your sense of taste and smell. You could unknowingly have the virus. I checked all this with a doctor before sharing the information. Stay safe."
George has been on Twitter too and although he has not spoken directly about his symptoms he has joked that will be bored of eating British tea time staple beans on toast by the time the pandemic has passed.
He tweeted: "Gonna be so bored of beans on toast by the time this is over."
He also quipped that no matter boring life gets staying at home he will never join social media video platform Tik Tok.
He posted: "Also realise it’s not that mad and no one really cares but I’m just so bored, and never gonna get to the level of a tik tok vid."
Gary’s self isolation may mean that ‘Match of the Day: Top 10’, which is the video recording of the new podcast, may not be recorded to air on BBC One on Saturday nights.
The first episode was screened last Saturday (21.03.20) and featured Gary and pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer choosing their top 10 Premier League captains.
The show was scheduled to air in place of the usual ‘Match of the Day’ Premier League highlights show which had been suspended due to all football in the UK being called off due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Gary Lineker in self isolation after son displays coronavirus symptoms
