Presenter in tense stand-off with BBC after refusing to apologise for live sex noise prank

Gary Lineker was reportedly involved in a tense studio stand-off with BBC executives over his refusal to apologise on-air for the sex noise prank on the broadcaster’s live coverage of the FA Cup.

The former England international was performing his hosting duties when pornographic noises were heard on the TV, with no-one knowing where it was coming from.

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Lineker revealed on social media that the noise had come from a phone stuck to the couch, with perennial prankster ‘Jarvo’ taking credit for it.

Although Lineker was able to laugh and joke about it on-air, BBC executives did not see the funny side of it.

According to The Telegraph, Lineker was asked three times to apologise on behalf of the BBC, but did not do so.

Senior BBC staff were reportedly in a panicked state due to the potential criticism of the live FA Cup coverage being ruined by the pornographic noises, but Lineker told senior staff to hold fire.

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The BBC eventually released a statement apologising for what had happened, but Lineker told Newsnight he didn’t understand why they felt the need to say sorry.

“I have to say I think it’s funny,” Lineker said.

“I know the BBC have issued some sort of apology. I know not why. We’ve certainly got nothing to apologise for.

Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark replied: “I’m sure you’ve got nothing to apologise for but I suppose the BBC might feel that people are offended,” but Lineker said “I doubt it.”

Wark responded: “I suppose what you could say is, ‘It could have been something that’s more dangerous in the studio.’”

Lineker continued to take the mickey out of the controversy when presenting Match of the Day.

“Let’s hope we’re not rudely interrupted,” Lineker said in reference to the pornographic noises.

He then asked fellow pundit Danny Murphy: “Have you turned your phone off?”