Gary Lineker lands surprise new role in brand-new sport after Netflix deal

Gary Lineker will step into the world of darts after reaching a new agreement with Netflix to continue broadcasting his 'The Rest Is Football' podcast.

His podcast, currently hosted alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, is back on Netflix for the 2026/27 season and will cover the Premier League and Champions League.

Initially posted daily on YouTube while Lineker was still presenting Match of the Day, the podcast will now be aired bi-weekly on Monday and Friday as part of the new Netflix deal.

Lineker co-founded the production company Goalhanger in 2014, with the company also producing, among others, The Rest Is Politics, co-hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, and The Rest Is Entertainment, which is fronted by Richard Osman and Marina Hyde.

While Lineker himself does not appear on the other podcasts his company is involved with, he will now team up with author and former Pointless co-host Osman to host a new darts-themed show on Netflix.

The England legend will host a one-off live show, which will see 20 competitors from across the nation attempt to beat reigning two-time world darts champion Luke Littler over a single leg of 501.

The show, titled 'Beat Luke Littler', gives Littler's opponents the opportunity of winning £501,000 in prize money if they can beat him over a leg.

It airs on Netflix on October 30, with Osman recruited as the 'expert analyst, breaking down the numbers and real-time stats behind the gameplay'.

"I am delighted to be deepening my relationship with Netflix after such a brilliant experience with The Rest Is Football at the World Cup, and Beat Luke Littler feels like exactly the kind of unpredictable, live event that gets me excited - I cannot wait to see who fancies their chances," Lineker said.

The concept for the show was announced on social media in July, with Littler featuring in promotional material.

"Everyone thinks they can beat me," Littler said in a press release. "Now they get a chance to prove it."

Fans can register their interest in competing against 'The Nuke' via this link - though competitors must be over the age of 18 and have never previously been a PDC Tour Card holder, which rules out Phil Taylor.

Darts fans have long been calling for a Royal Rumble-style event.

Just like in WWE, the ideal concept for the event is that two players face off against each other in a single leg of 501, with the winner staying on.

A surprise entrant would then take to the oche for the next leg of 501, with the process continuing until the last entrant has taken to the stage and a winner is declared.

In January, MODUS Super Series held a Royal Rumble event, with 12 competitors taking part including Steve Beaton, Richie Burnett and Devon Petersen.

The event was won by Swedish star Andreas Harrysson, though PDC tour card holders were ineligible to take part under the terms of their contracts.