People have been taking to social media to react to the BBC’s latest actions involving Gary Lineker stepping back from presenting Match of the Day and an episode of David Attenborough’s new series on British wildlife being taken off the air.

It’s been reported Gary Lineker will be taking a step back from presenting Match of the Day until an agreement is reached on his social media, following an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the government's new asylum policy.

The BBC said it considered Lineker's recent social media activity to be a ‘breach of its guidelines’.

The BBC has also decided not to broadcast an episode of David Attenborough’s flagship new series 'Wild Isles' because of fears ‘its themes of the destruction of nature would risk a backlash from Tory politicians and the right-wing press’, the Guardian has been told.

The shock announcements about Attenborough’s programme comes at the end of a week in which another presenter, Gary Lineker, has been condemned by Conservative ministers for his disapproval of the government’s immigration bill.

Social media users criticise BBC

One user said: “If the news is correct that @GaryLineker has had to step down it’s ridiculous. He is giving a voice to people who do not seem to have one atm and speaking out against a flawed system and the idiots who are organising it.”

Another posted: “Oh dear @BBCOne you really are making the wrong choices with both the @GaryLineker and #davidattenborough decisions. You have completely resigned yourselves to be right-wing or at least dancing to the right tune. #shameful #bbc”

Following the latest hashtag ‘#imwithgary’ which has been set up in support, one person said: "Outrageous decision, the BBC are appeasing the far right wing Tory Government I stand with Gary Lineker @GaryLineker #IStandWithGaryLineker #ImWithGary."

Someone said: “First it was Gary Lineker and now David Attenborough so who will they silence next?”

This person also took to social media to react to the news: “So, this afternoon the BBC gives in to fascists over Gary Lineker’s support for asylum seekers and on David Attenborough’s desire to highlight the impact of climate change. Fascism isn’t a threat. It is happening here and now, with the BBC enabling it.”