Gary Lineker dealt huge snub as show axed despite presenter's desire for 'lots of series'

Gary Lineker dealt huge snub as show axed despite presenter's desire for 'lots of series'

WATCH: Gary Lineker presents Sitting on a Fortune for ITV

ITV
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 04/10/2023

- 11:16

The former footballer has been the face of ITV's Sitting on a Fortune for two series now

ITV has decided to axe the Gary Lineker-fronted quiz show Sitting on a Fortune after just two series, according to reports.

The Match of the Day presenter took the rare step into the world of game show presenting just two years ago but his tenure as host has come to an end.


The quiz show, which pits six members of the public against one another in the hopes of bagging a £100,000 prize pot, aired in the prime time slot of 7pm on Sunday evenings.

The premise of the show saw contestants sit in a row of seats with the person at the front tasked with answering the questions provided by Lineker.

But if a player answered incorrectly, they'd be shifted to back at the queue while Lineker would offer the teasers up to the next contestant.

Prospective players will no longer get the chance to try and win the life-changing sum, however, as ITV sources confirmed "there are no current plans for a third series".

GB News has contacted ITV for comment regarding the reports.

Gary Lineker's ITV show has reportedly been axed

Gary Lineker's ITV show has reportedly been axed

ITV

Lineker hasn't publicly addressed the reports of Sitting on a Fortune's axe but a number of views have had their say.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan complained: "What a shame, I really liked this show."

While a second added: "Poor ratings in first series also that money ball flopped but got series 2! Strange choices for recommissioning not surprised it's axed!!!" (sic)

The second fan was referring to another ITV show which has also received the chop, Moneyball.

Another quiz show which offered players the chance to win huge amounts of money, the Ian Wright-led programme has also only lasted just two series.

News of Sitting on a Fortune's cancellation will undoubtedly be an unwelcome update for Lineker who's publicly expressed his fondness for game show hosting before.

"It’s a one-off for me to do this kind of show," he previously told The Sun. "I’d never thought about doing something like this before but I love doing it."

Speaking back in June, he also told the publication that he foresaw celebrity editions of the show as well as "lots of series".

Gary Lineker

Gary Lineker usually fronts sporting coverage for the BBC

PA

He added: "I'm really pleased with how Sitting on a Fortune has been received. The figures have been good and the feedback's been excellent.

"Hopefully we can just do lots of series and give lots of people lots of money."

But sadly for Lineker, that will no longer be the case following ITV's latest shake-up to its programming.

Lineker did welcome a separate piece of news from the Beeb recently, however, as he lauded the new social media guidelines set out by the corporation.

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