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Gary Lineker apologises after being caught browsing M&S without a mask

@garylineker
@garylineker

Gary Lineker has blamed his “old age” after he was caught failing to wear a mask while browsing desserts at his local Marks & Spencer.

The BBC presenter was snapped by an eagle-eyed member of the public while shopping at the supermarket in Barnes, south west London.

He said that he realised his mistake and hastily put on a face covering when shoppers "gave him daggers".

The Match of the Day host, 59, had previously taken a selfie outside the same branch with a mask captioned: "I'm taking no chances.''

He tweeted an apology to his fellow shoppers last night, saying: “In my old age, I went into a store and forgot to put my mask on.

“Was wondering why people were giving me daggers. Realised after a couple of minutes and hastily put it on. Felt awful and embarrassed. Apologies to those present.”

Comedian David Baddiel responded by joking: “I think we all know you can't get one to fit round your ears.” He added: “P.S I love Gary. Even his ears.”

Lineker was accused of being a hypocrite when Susan Hall, leader of the GLA Conservatives, tweeted the image under the caption: “Do as I say, not as I do ...”

Gary Lineker was labelled a hypocrite online after being caught maskless (PA)
Gary Lineker was labelled a hypocrite online after being caught maskless (PA)

Others leapt to his defence, saying: "Easily done. Finding a mask in your pocket is the modern equivalent of finding a fiver in your jacket!"

The former England striker had been vocal about the importance of wearing masks. On July 14, he tweeted: "Why would anyone object to wearing a mask in a shop? Not exactly a hardship. What a country of snowflakes we've become.''

He also tweeted: "Wearing masks, of all things, is the most obvious thing we can do to help decrease the spread of the virus and the smallest of all the sacrifices. No brainer.''

A 38-year-old shopper who spotted Lineker shopping mask-free on Sunday told The Sun: "If it was anyone else I wouldn't mind so much. But it's frustrating for someone who tries to take the moral high ground as much as he does.''