Beard Liberation Front
25th June
contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett @keithbeard.bsky.social
National Beard Week 2025 Gary Lineker shaves Michael Rosen to be voted Hirsute Broadcaster of the Year
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that the vote for the Hirsute Broadcaster of the Year 2025 has concluded with veteran football commentator Gary Lineker shaving Word of Mouth host Michael Rosen for the annual accolade
Gary Lineker took 49% of the 6,600 votes cast on-line while Michael Rosen got 22.9%
In 2024 Test Match Special’s Aatif Nawaz topped the poll, 2023 the Award was won by Michael Rosen who shared it with Bob Harris in 2022
The campaigners say that the world of broadcasting remains largely Pogonophobic despite Jeremy Paxman’s high-profile comments on the matter in his final months as presenter of Newsnight in 2013
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, Gary Lineker’s time as host of Match of the Day has just come to an end but his iconic goatee beard has made a lasting and positive public impact.
Hirsute Broadcaster of the Year
Bob Harris, The Country Show
Gary Lineker, Match of the Day
Michael Rosen, Word of Mouth
Alexei Sayle, Strangers on a Train
Michael Rosen has made the following statement
I would like to congratulate Gary for winning this. However, I need to draw attention the fact that Gary played for Spurs and that Keith Flett, esteemed Secretary-General of the Beard Liberation Front is a Spurs supporter. I am sure that this fact didn’t in any way have any bearing on the ultimate result of this superb contest. I am merely making readers aware of this coincidence of interest. I would also point out that whereas Michael Rosen has had a beard for as long as it was physically possible for him to do so, Gary’s beard is a relative newcomer. I accept that seniority of follicles doesn’t come into play here and yet I think we should bear in mind the seniority of chin-growth. Even so, I’m honoured to be in the same facial hair consideration as the great Lineker who expresses humanity through the shafts of his bristles. Like the great Arteta, I too must accept the runner-up position with grace and humility.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett’s measured response
Michael Rosen is right. As BLF Organiser I do not have any influence on the vote beyond determining (in the last resort after much advice) who appears on shortlists. I do not in fact even get a vote. The BLF block vote is a thing of legend but in 2025 its strictly OMOV….
MIchael Rosen further responded
It would only be fair here to consult the Wenger oracle. Two things are relevant here. Firstly, that Wenger would favour a one-nil result (as this is) and secondly that he wouldn’t have seen it.
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