Gary Lineker has revealed how Anthony Joshua left him feeling uncomfortable after the pair spent some time together at Wimbledon.
The former Match of the Day host was sat next to the British boxing star in the Royal Box on Day Five of the Championships.
There was plenty of entertainment on offer for the pair, who were treated to both Carlos Alcaraz‘s victory over Jan-Lennard Struff, and Emma Raducanu’s thriller against Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court.
Despite enjoying some blockbuster tennis, Lineker has revealed the hilarious reason why his evening wasn’t total bliss.
That is because he found himself lacking quite a bit of leg room as he settled down beside the 6ft 6in ex-heavyweight world champion.
In fact, the former England striker admitted the experience had left him suffering from leg cramps due to Joshua’s size.
As well as the 35-year-old boxer, Lineker was pictured alongside his son, Angus, and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in attendance in SW19.
Speaking on his Rest is Football podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, the broadcaster was quick to express his gratitude to the All England Club for welcoming him.
He said: “I went to Wimbledon the other day. I just want to thank Wimbledon for inviting me, it was lovely.
“I took my youngest, Angus.
“We sat next to Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn and we had a laugh watching some great tennis.”
But it wasn’t long before Lineker’s co-hosts made light of his appearance at the prestigious tennis major, as they changed the topic of conversation to seating arrangements.
Richards chipped in: “Can I just say, you were looking marvellous.”
Shearer then joked: “Micah, he was looking marvellous until you looked to his left and saw Anthony Joshua.”
This then prompted Lineker to share his experience of sitting next to Joshua, as he revealed it left him feeling quite uncomfortable.
He explained: “I was sitting in the seats next to Anthony, and he’s obviously huge.
“His legs [were huge] and the only way he sits, because there wasn’t enough room, was he had his legs wide open.
“And I was forced, for like seven hours, whatever it was, to put my legs to the… It got to the stage where I was getting cramp in my inside thigh so badly!
“And the game was going on and I wanted to shout.
“But I never had the balls, at any point, to tell him, ‘Will you f****** move your legs over a little bit, give me some room?”
Lineker then confirmed he was telling the truth, adding: “Absolutely true.
“But he’s a lovely, lovely guy and I had a laugh with him. And they were great company for the afternoon.”
Lineker’s visit to Wimbledon came was his first appearance at a BBC event since parting ways with Match of the Day and the corporation in May.
He left the broadcaster altogether at the end of the 2024/25 season after a fallout with the organisation, with Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman set to share the Match of the Day presenting gig going forward.
