Gary Lineker – latest: BBC talks with presenter ‘moving in right direction’ as disruption continues

The position of the BBC chairman is “totally untenable”, Ed Balls has said.

The former shadow chancellor said the position of the BBC chairman Richard Sharp has “become totally untenable”, during an interview on Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.

Mr Balls said niether BBC director general Tim Davie or chancellor Jeremy Hunt were “willing to defend the position of Richard Sharp.”

“It’s been a catastrophic couple of days for the BBC”, Mr Balls said.

Former Tory chancellor George Osborne has backed Gary Lineker, criticising the rhetoric around asylum policy by some in his party.

“Personally I think some of the language used on immigration by some Conservatives - not all - is not acceptable,” he told Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.

“I have a lot of sympathy for Tim Davie, the director-general, who’s trying to maintain impartiality for the BBC in a partisan age. But it’s all ended up in a bit of a mess.”

The Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Manchester United kicked off on BBC Two earlier with no pre-match presentation as the broadcaster’s sporting programming for TV and radio continues to be disrupted over the Gary Lineker impartiality row.

The match is being aired live alongside world feed commentary by football commentator Nigel Adderley.

A continuity announcer introduced the match, saying: “Live women’s Super League football now on BBC Two Chelsea vs. Manchester United.”

Broadcasting veteran Nick Ferrari has pledged his support to Gary Lineker, as the former England striker’s row with the BBC continues.

Tweeting this afternoon, the LBC host said: “Having been a Leicester City fan for 50 plus years, I’ve supported Gary Lineker since 1978. And while I question his interpretation of history, I support him now. The BBC has gone nuts.”

The Royal National Institute of Blind People has branded the BBC’s decision not to include commentary on Match Of The Day as “unacceptable” and said the corporation “needs to do better”.

The football highlights show aired for only 20 minutes on Saturday without accompanying commentary or analysis from pundits following a boycott in “solidarity” with former England player Gary Lineker.

In a tweet, the charity added: “The BBC should be upholding basic accessibility standards so that everyone can enjoy their output.”

Urgent talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are underway and are inching forward, The Independent understands.

Senior sources at the BBC said the talks aim at getting the Match of the Day host back to work this week. If an agreement is reached, the breakthrough would be announced immediately.

BBC director-general Tim Davie has made his view clear that he wants to see the Match of the Day host back on air, saying last night: “Success for me is getting Gary back on air and together we are giving to the audiences that world-class sports coverage which, as I say, I’m sorry we haven’t been able to deliver today”.

Before match commentary from its two scheduled Premier League games this afternoon started on Radio 5 Live, commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball said: “I want to reiterate what we said ahead of our football coverage yesterday.

“I know you’ll all appreciate this is a difficult time for BBC Sport and for all those who work in the department, and we hope it all gets resolved as soon as possible.

“It’s been a very difficult decision to make personally, I can assure you it’s not been taken lightly, but I’m a BBC staff member, I’m a radio commentator for this station and, just like yesterday, we are here to provide our football service to you, our audience.”

Gary Lineker’s eldest son has tweeted in defence of his father, saying he should not feel pressured to apologise “for being a good person.”

George Lineker tweeted: “Proud of the old man after a busy few days.

“Shouldn’t need to apologise for being a good person and standing by his word.

“The reaction of the public has been overwhelming. Thanks for the support.”