SPORT RELIEF fans took to social media to vent their frustration this evening as they watched the highest paid BBC presenter, Gary Lineker front the fundraiser extravaganza and urge viewers to donate money.
Gary Lineker teamed up with Alex Scott and Paddy McGuinness to front Sport Relief alongside a host of famous faces who popped up throughout the evening. During the fundraiser extravaganza, the Match of The Day presenter urged viewers to pick up the phone and donate to the number of charitable causes that Sport Relief supports. However, in light of Gary’s well documented BBC wage of £1.75million, some viewers accused the former footballer of being ‘cheeky’.
One said: “@BBCNews Mr misery Gary lineker fronting the sports relief. What a turn off. He’s asking us for money when he’s BBC’s highest paid. Bl**dy cheek. Scrap the fee for all. Turned off!”
Someone else tweeted: “#SportRelief2020 Should be cancelled. People have enough to worry about, without the BBC begging for money to give away to people that we don’t know. #SportRelief.”
“#SportRelief2020 no, no, no, no, no and no. Sorry, as long as @GaryLineker is hosting, I’ll not give a penny. Why doesn’t he donate some of his fortune? Instead I’ll give £20 to @CrohnsColitisUK, my charity of choice. I can’t abide hypocrisy,” a third shared.
“#SportRelief2020 Should be cancelled. People have enough to worry about, without the BBC begging for money to give away to people that we don’t know. #SportRelief,” another added.
A fifth viewer shared: “The #BBC out with the begging bowl again asking us to donate money to #SportRelief2020 which is presented by £1.75m per year Gary Lineker….
“Meanwhile half the nation’s gonna be living off statuary sick pay soon thanks to the #coronavirus ffs!”
“£2 million a year Gary…asking us to give money #SportRelief2020,” someone else tweeted.
The Match of The Day presenter kicked off the show by urging viewers to pick up the phone and donate as he reminded them that the current coronavirus pandemic has left the “vulnerable more vulnerable”.
He began: “Welcome to Sport Relief 2020. I’ve been fortunate enough to present this show since its inception back in 2002.
“Never though under the circumstances of this year, this month, this week. These are extraordinary and unprecedented times.
“Never have the vulnerable been more vulnerable, than they are now. Never have we needed the help of Sport Relief more, than we do now.
“And we’re already making sure that a chunk of what we raise will help those affected by the coronavirus.”