Gary Lineker delivers brilliant one-liner in response to BBC row in first TV appearance

The broadcaster and former Barcelona striker joked he 'had a quiet week' and said he was 'still punching' as he spoke on LaLiga TV, before making his return to BBC screens this weekend.

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Lineker will be back on Saturday, but not in his usual Match of the Day chair in the evening.

The former England striker will instead host MoTD Live in the afternoon, presenting coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City vs Burnley, with Mark Chapman set to present the highlights show on Saturday night.

His soft return to the air will mark his first appearance for the BBC since he was stood down by the national broadcaster over a tweet comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany.

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The decision sparked a huge backlash and saw the Beeb's talent pool of pundits, hosts and commentators all pull out of working in 'solidarity' with Lineker, which led to a more stripped back Match of the Day show last weekend that only lasted 20 minutes.

The situation has since been healed, though, and it was announced this week that Lineker would be returning to duty with BBC director general Tim Davie issuing an apology.

It's been quite a few seven days for the ex-Leicester, Tottenham, Everton and Barcelona star, who joined LaLiga TV to preview this weekend's El Clasico and said his week had been 'interesting'.

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He also thanked his friends and fellow broadcasters for their support, saying it was 'quite beautiful'.

"Really quiet, nothing much going on," Lineker joked on Friday when asked how his week has been.

"Yeah, you could say it's been an interesting week but I'm still here, still punching.

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"It was interesting and also hugely gratifying. I had an amazing amount of support from my friends and colleagues which was quite beautiful actually.

"It was totally disproportionate, the whole thing, but we're OK. It is resolved.

"I'm back to work tomorrow and all is well with the world."Lineker will be back in the studio alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards - who both refused to work last weekend and were public in their backing of their axed host.