People are only just realising a surprising fact about Gary Lineker and Des Lynam's ages

The European Championships have just passed the halfway stage and they haven't disappointed so far.

Games have come thick and fast and as we approach the knockout rounds the standard of football and the excitement it has brought has been noticeable.

Off the field and in the punditry box and TV studios, past pros and presenters have been giving their 10 pence worth of insight, with BBC host Gary Lineker offering his views as anchor for the broadcaster, while also being a bit more forthright on his The Rest is Football podcast.

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Lineker has been in the main chair for the TV channel for the past twenty or so years, having taken the reins from previous main man Des Lynam.

A post on X this week revealed that when the veteran broadcaster signed off on his last major tournament covering football at Euro 2004, he was actually two years younger than Lineker is now. This statement has come as quite the shock to viewers. Lineker is 63 years old and despite being a silver fox has always appeared youthful.

Having later swapped the BBC for ITV, Lynam eventually stepped away from sports presenting altogether in 2005 and has since carved out a career as a children's book author.

The 81-year-old last year advised Lineker to stay "out of politics" after he expressed views on controversial topics on social media.

The veteran told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House programme: “I like him as a chap, I like him as a broadcaster. But I think there are some areas that he should stay out of.

“For example, the last World Cup was in Qatar and he went very, very strongly about the limitations of society in Qatar. And he’s right, there are, but he’s not the person to say it. Get on with the football."