Gary Lineker has "apologised unreservedly" after being criticised for sharing a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat. "On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references," he said in a statement. "I very much regret these references.

Lineker’s £1.35m position is said to have become untenable after the latest controversy that angered BBC colleagues, insiders say.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker issued an apology after sharing a pro-Palestine post with a rat emoji but is now understood to be on the brink of leaving the BBC