BBC presenter Gary Lineker has apologised after he was pictured shopping without wearing a face mask - after months of lecturing others for doing the same.

The 59-year-old Match Of The Day host was seen wandering around Marks & Spencer in Barnes, south-west London.

A member of the public spotted him perusing the desserts - with no covering on his face.

Lineker agent said the star admitted going into the shop without his covering - but claims he quickly put on a mask soon after.

It comes despite the former professional footballer repeatedly telling others to wear a facemask via Twitter, for months.

Back in April, Lineker tweeted: "How can there be any debate about whether we should be wearing a mask?

"Even if it's only a one per cent chance of making you safer. Even if it is only a one per cent chance of stopping you giving it to someone else.

"Even if it only saves one life then it has to be beneficial."

On July 2, he wrote: "Can't understand why anyone would object to wearing a mask.

"Painless gesture to ensure you don't spread the virus to others, and great for hiding bad breath."

And on July 14, he added: "Why would anyone object to wearing a mask in a shop? Not exactly a hardship. What a country of snowflakes we've become."

He also tweeted: "Wearing masks, of all things, is the most obvious thing we can do to help decrease the spread of the virus, and the smallest of all the sacrifices. No brainer."

He's even taken a photos of himself outside the exact same M&S branch and put it on Instagram on April 8 with the caption: "I'm taking no chances."

The 38-year-old shopper who spotted Lineker on Sunday said: "It's just hypocrisy on another level.

"He had even tweeted a photo of him wearing a mask recently in front of that same M&S store, and telling people to wear masks in supermarkets.

"If it was anyone else, I wouldn't mind so much. But it's frustrating for someone who tries to take the moral high ground as much as he does.

"Nobody was really going up to him in the store. None of the store staff approached him and asked him to put a mask on."

A spokesman for the sports star said he realised mid-shop that he was not wearing a face covering - and hastily put one on.

He said: "I have spoken to Gary and he admits that is right, he did not wear a mask when he went in to M&S.

"He got about halfway round the shop, and then realised, and he put it on.

"It was an oversight, to which he admits, and he apologises.

"It just goes to show that people need to stay vigilant when doing their shopping."