Gary Lineker's staggering earnings from career move away from BBC exposed - on top of  £1.35m salary

However, Lineker also leads a hugely successful podcast, The Rest is Football, alongside former England players Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

The side hobby seems to be contributing significantly to the presenter's financial gain, despite the fact he earns £1.35 million through the BBC.

The popularity of the podcast has made Goalhanger - the company behind The Rest Is Football - a profitable business, with Lineker directly benefiting because he was a co-founder of the company.

According to Metro, the business' micro company accounts show capital and reserves were at £590,958 for the financial year ending in May 2023.

The amount comes as a stark increase from the previous year's £207,883, with a growth of 184 percent.

The publication predicts if the company continues with some figures it could eventually become the sports pundits' main earners.

On the success of the podcast, the BBC star stated: "I think we started early, recognised that podcasting was going to be interesting, got a bit lucky and made some good choices."

Speaking to The Financial Times, he added: "The business is performing staggeringly well."

He continued: "But it’s a very, very good business."

He was also asked in the same interview if he'd ever quit the BBC to take up full-time podcasting, to which he responded: "Maybe. Who knows? Life's thrown many things at me.

"But I’ve another, what, nearly three years left on this contract. I've got time to work out my retirement and get my bus pass. So I'll be able to go on a double-decker, at the top, and listen to my podcast and sail into the sunset."

Lineker's finances are often the subject of controversy, particularly since he has on occasion raised questions about impartiality within the broadcaster.

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Lineker has been in disputes with his employer before, famously coming under fire in 2023 after comparing the Government's stance over small boats to that of 1930s Germany.

The tweet sparked a huge impartiality row, with many other BBC presenters boycotting their roles on the broadcaster after Lineker was taken off air in response to his political outburst.

He returned to Match of the Day after his co-stars stood in solidarity with him but continues to be criticised for airing his political views online.