Matt Le Tissier has launched an astonishing attack on Gary Lineker and claimed that the pundit is 'hiding skeletons in his closet'.
The former Sky Sports pundit - who was dismissed in August 2020 - has become a controversial figure amid his social media outbursts in recent years, with his opinions on the Covid pandemic drawing particular attention.
However, in his latest online tirade, Le Tissier, 56, has taken aim at Match of the Day host Lineker during an appearance on the 'Disruptors' podcast.
Speaking to host Rob Moore, the former Southampton striker said: 'We'll probably find out all these things after Gary passes away.
Moore responded: 'Do you think there's some skeletons in the closet? What skeletons are in the closet?'
Le Tissier then explained: 'Oh, I can tell you that Gary Lineker is not the angel that he likes to portray himself to be. Ask Joey Barton!
'Have a look at Joey Barton's feed where he has a go at Gary Lineker and challenges Gary to come back and have a go at him.
'And Gary won't have a go at him because Gary knows he's not as pure as driven snow'.
The pair previously clashed back in 2012 after Barton took aim at Lineker - and punditry team-mate Alan Shearer - following their criticisms of his football displays.
Barton labelled Shearer a 'p****' and Lineker 'an odious toad' during a rant on Twitter (now called X) after he was sent off for QPR against Manchester City.
He didn't pull any punches as he made a cryptic threat to Lineker saying he would open up a 'vast closet of skeletons' on the former Tottenham and England player.
Lineker initially sent Barton a message which read: 'Still raging then? Still kick out? And still, presumably, misunderstood? But only by yourself I suspect'.
Barton responded: 'Do u wanna go there publicly 'Mr Squeaky Clean'? Think u should have a look in that vast closet of skeltons before u respond'.
Lineker didn't reply. Barton then wrote: 'Now back under your stone you odious little toad'.
Meanwhile, Le Tissier previously took aim at Lineker after he temporarily stepped away from his role as Match of the Day host in 2023.
The decision came after Lineker compared the language used to launch a new Government crackdown on migrants arriving across the Channel in small boats to 1930s Germany. Lineker's tweet was found to breach BBC impartiality rules.
Lineker had tweeted: 'Well, it's been an interesting couple of days. Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting @MOTD on Saturday. Thanks again for all your incredible support. It's been overwhelming.'
Former Southampton striker Le Tissier took great delight in responding to Lineker's tweet but admitted that 'he should be entitled to his opinion unless his contract with the BBC says otherwise'.
Le Tissier wrote: 'This didn't age well btw Gary should be entitled to his opinion unless his contract with the bbc says otherwise.'
Le Tissier also criticised Lineker for 'virtue signalling' and added there are 'quite a few skeletons' in his closet.
Speaking on GB News, Le Tissier said: 'I can tell you Gary Lineker is no saint, not in any way, shape or form. There's very few of us around that are saints. I'm no saint, we've all made mistakes in our lives but we don't all virtue signal to the extent that Mr Lineker does.
'I don't even have to imagine, there are quite a few skeletons in Gary's closet down the years. He's obviously got some friends in very high places who have protected him, there's no two ways about that.'
Aside from his on screen duties, Lineker lives a relatively quiet private life.
He's rarely been seen going out with women since his second marriage ended eight years ago - and he has even confessed that he enjoys spending time on his own.
But, back in November, the former England striker, 64, was spotted having dinner with a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his ex-wife, Danielle Bux.
Following the breakdown of his marriages to his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, and his second, Ms Bux, the Match of The Day presenter has been growing close to visual artist Leila Bartell.
The pair were spotted enjoying a night out at the popular Dorian restaurant in Notting Hill, west London, where Ms Bartell's art studio is based.
Although drawn to art from an early age, Ms Bartell put her creative goals on hold at first to pursue a law degree. She returned to art when she was older and realised it was her 'true passion'.
Former England footballer Lineker was married to Michelle Cockayne from 1986-2006, with the pair sharing four sons.
He was then wed to Danielle Bux from 2009-2016. She has since remarried to lawyer Nate Greenwald, with the pair sharing daughter Romy.
