Lineker, who has formed a key part of the BBC's Euro 2020 coverage, has been an outspoken critic of the Government, and, in particular, Home Secretary Priti Patel's tough crackdown on migrants coming to the UK. His view saw him welcome an asylum seeker to his house in Surrey last year as part of the "Refugees at Home" campaign. Lineker's decision became public after a record number of over 400 migrants crossed the English Channel in one day, but he has been calling for action for some time now.

       In 2016, he tweeted: “The treatment by some towards these young refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless. What’s happening to our country?”

       He was talking after suggestions from the likes of Conservative MP David Davies that child migrants should have teeth checked to verify their age.

       Following backlash online, Lineker added: “Getting a bit of a spanking today but things could be worse. Imagine, just for a second, being a refugee having to flee from your home.”

       And Ms Sturgeon seemed to agree, quoting his tweet with the comment: "Liking Gary Lineker more and more."

       Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also chipped in.

       He said: “I admire Gary Lineker for showing Britain at its best: compassionate, welcoming, and standing up to fear and division.”

       More recently Lineker explained the reasoning behind his decision to house a refugee.

       He told Good Morning Britain (GMB) last year: “Every time I ever tweeted support to these poor refugees and their dreadful plight having to flee their countries, I used to always get this ‘why don’t you have them in your home’.

       “The more I thought about it, I thought ‘well actually I would’ – my kids are grown up now and I have a bit of space.”

       READ MORE: How Gareth Southgate was blasted after claiming Brexit had ‘racial undertones’

       After someone responded to Lineker by posting a link to the charity, he signed up to offer an "emergency service" to allow a migrant to live with him.

       And he said he "would recommend it to anybody".

       He added: “He was a lovely guy, he cooked for me and I cooked for him lots, and he was great for my boys who spent a lot of time in his company.

       “It gave them such a great perspective on life. One of them said to me 'it was so good having Rasheed here, learning about the desperate circumstances that do make people flee their own countries'.”

       The migrant left Lineker a "beautifully written" letter to thank him.

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       It read: “When I was moving to your home, I was worried that you might be unfriendly and conservative but it was all reverse what I thought.

       “During my stay in your beautiful home, I never felt that I am a stranger or guest but it seemed to me as if I am a member of your family.

       “I can never forget your hospitality, love and company that you and your lovely respectful children gave to me.

       “There is a saying in Balochi language, that if you give me a glass of water, I owe you my entire life. In fact, you did more.

       “Best wishes, Rasheed.”