Former football rivals Gary Lineker and Graeme Souness have put their past disagreements behind them to co-host ITV's new celebrity gameshow, "The Box". The show, set to debut on September 5, sees 10 celebrity contestants tackle a series of physical, mental, and logical challenges with minimal instruction.

Souness admitted during the show's launch event in London that he had initially wanted to "smash Lineker a few times" during filming, jokingly attributing it to "revenge for that tackle at Anfield in 1981." Lineker responded in kind, questioning if it was "too late to apologise."

The unlikely on-screen pairing comes after years of differing public opinions between the two football figures. In March 2023, Lineker was suspended by the BBC for refusing to apologize over his criticism of the UK government's bill on illegal migrants. This led to a significant fallout, with colleagues boycotting the program in solidarity before Lineker was reinstated.

At the time of Lineker's suspension, Souness stated on the William Hill podcast "Up Front with Simon Jordan" that BBC employees like Lineker, Ian Wright, and Alan Shearer should "keep their opinions to themselves." He argued that "freedom of speech is something that doesn’t apply when you work for the BBC" and that individuals taking BBC money "have to be very careful with what you say politically."

Lineker's decision to sign with ITV for "The Box" followed his departure from the BBC after what was described as an "anti-semitism row" stemming from a social media post. He later apologized, stating he was unaware of the symbol's meaning and would never consciously post anything anti-Semitic.

Contestants on "The Box" shared their experiences working with Lineker as host. "Love Island" star Shakira Khan noted that Lineker had to be kept away from them during filming due to his "poker face," as he would observe challenges beforehand and offer encouragement based on prior tests. JLS singer JB Gill added that Lineker was not permitted to socialize with contestants off-camera because of his knowledge of the show's proceedings. Actress Ellie Taylor described Lineker as "lovely and supportive," adding that his "energy at the top of the show sort of trickled down to the rest of us."

"The Box" is described as a potential replacement for "Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway" and features an elimination round called "The Duel" at the end of each episode. Lineker expressed his enthusiasm for the new hosting role, stating its difference from his previous work and the unique concept appealed to him.

Lineker's career has seen him move from a decorated playing career to prominent broadcasting roles, including Match of the Day. Souness, a former Liverpool midfielder, has also had a notable career in broadcasting and punditry. Their collaboration on "The Box" marks a new chapter in their public association, moving beyond past on-pitch rivalries and public disagreements.

"The Box" is scheduled to premiere on ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday, September 5.