Gary Lineker forced to miss Champions League openers as new project takes centre stage

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Gary Lineker's new business venture will cost him a chance to watch live football.(Image: The FA via Getty Images)

Gary Lineker will miss out on watching any of this week's Champions League as he begins filming his new show for ITV - 'The Box'.

Ex Match of the Day makes history with NTA winREAD MORE:Gary Lineker makes candid confession about his BBC axe after winning an NTA

Lineker's former Match of the Day colleague Alan Shearer confessed that he would not be present to watch Newcastle take on Barcelona in a blockbuster clash at St James' Park - leading Lineker to admit he too would be missing out.

He said on The Rest is Football podcast: "I can't go because I’m starting filming for my new show, 'The Box', starting Wednesday.



I'd be in the dog house before it even started."

Lineker's new show will see 12 celebrities get placed in boxes before receiving daring challenges - a concept that has already proved a huge hit in Norway.

The ex-England international - fresh from winning the Best TV Presenter gong at the NTA Awards - will be central to the show's success.

This season's Champions League begins on Tuesday night.(Image: Getty Images)

But his filming means he will miss some stellar clashes that will begin the European season.

Harry Kane will be the man they need to stop, while Premier League leaders Liverpool will take on Atletico Madrid.

Manchester City will want to prove they are on the right track with a game against Napoli, while Europa League winners Tottenham will host Villarreal.

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