Gary Lineker tests positive for COVID

Gary Lineker has tested positive for COVID, warning fellow passengers on a recent flight that he had started to feel unwell on the plane.

The former footballer and TV pundit shared his health update on Twitter on Thursday afternoon, writing that he had just arrived back from South Africa earlier today and had started to feel ill during the flight.

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Posting a photo of a positive coronavirus test with two lines visible, he tweeted: "Long time since I got between the lines. Arrived back from Cape Town early this morning. Started feeling a little unwell on the flight. Sorry to those sitting near, although I wore a mask for the entirety of the journey as didn’t eat. Hope I didn’t pass it on to anyone on BA42."

He also hinted at his vaccine status, adding: "Thanks for all the well wishes. You’re a lovely lot. Thanks too, to the brilliant scientists for the vaccines that should mean i won’t be seriously ill and clog up our brilliant NHS."

But Lineker, 61, added that he was disappointed to be missing some key dates for work.

He wrote: "Gutted to miss our live @BBCSport FA Cup 4th round ties though. Always the most fun."

Lineker recently told The Times that he was happy being single, with no plans to join a dating app any time soon.

He said: "The thought of going on a dating app makes me grimace. I know there’s a celebrity one called Raya, but I’ve never been on it and I never would.

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"Dating is hard enough work anyway. I just can’t imagine doing it. I don’t know how people manage it. It’s definitely not for me."

Lineker added: “I had two wonderful marriages and now I’m single and I’m in a good place, but that might change. I might need someone to change my nappies. Who knows?"

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield also tested positive for COVID this week and is currently isolating while he waits to find out whether he will be able to host Dancing On Ice this weekend.

One of the skating show's contestants, Bez, also had to miss valuable training time recently when he tested positive for coronavirus a few days after his first performance.

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