OFF!

Stars back Lineker as BBC drops him from MOTD and over 31,000 sign national petition

- MARK JEFFERIES

STARS last night lined up to slam the BBC for axing Gary Lineker over his criticism of the Tories, as Match of the Day was plunged into chaos.

Pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out of tonight's show in solidarity with the 62-year-old host as bosses faced a scramble to replace them.

The move sparked accusations BBC chiefs caved in to pressure from Tory politicians and right wing media to ditch Lineker after he said the language used around Suella Braverman's immigration policies was similar to 30s Germany.

One TV source said: "Bosses will be pulling their hair out over this.

"It has really kicked off and it will be a race to get a line-up for the show. Lots of people are on Gary's side." Our sister paper the Daily Mirror has launched a petition to reinstate Lineker, which has 31,000 signatures. The Beeb told him to "step back" from presenting until he agreed to stop criticising Tories. His tweet was "a breach of guidelines".