![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/15\/01\/78984545-12866433-Gary_Lineker_63_surprised_members_of_the_public_at_London_s_Batt-a-23_1702604947960.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGary Lineker surprised members of the public at London’s Battersea Power Station as he celebrated his 30th anniversary of working with Walkers on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The sports pundit, 63, donned a snazzy red Next suit and Santa hat as he become ‘Father Crispmas’ for the evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gary rode a Walkers themed sleigh, packed high with crisps and handed out\u00a0Wotsits, Walkers Sensations and Walkers MAX to stunned passersby – after famously refusing to share the treat in his numerous ads for the brand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At one point the former England player even jumped out of the moving festive vehicle to sign footballs for a string of young fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As he made his way round the capital’s famous landmark fans gathered to catch a glimpse of him in his Christmas outfit and also grab a bag of delicious Walkers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Gary Lineker, 63, surprised members of the public at London’s Battersea Power Station as he celebrated his 30th anniversary of working with Walkers on Thursday<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/15\/01\/78984541-12866433-The_sports_pundit_donned_a_snazzy_red_Next_suit_and_Santa_hat_as-a-24_1702604947962.jpg\")
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The sports pundit\u00a0 donned a snazzy red Next suit and Santa hat as he become ‘Father Crispmas’ for the evening\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gary said:’It\u2019s hard to believe that I\u2019ve spent almost half my life working with Walkers, so we definitely felt we needed to kick off our 30th year with something memorable’.<\/p>\n
‘And in three decades of Christmas, Walkers has now finally persuaded me to dress like this, and transform into \u2018Father Crispmas!\u2019.<\/p>\n
‘I\u2019ve worked with some amazing people on the many campaigns I\u2019ve done with Walkers over the years, but if I was finally going to agree to share my crisps with anyone,’\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adding: ‘There was only one option for who it could be \u2013 it had to be the great British public\u2026 but only because it\u2019s Christmas!\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Wayne Newton from Walkers added: \u201cIt\u2019s hard to believe that in all these years we haven\u2019t managed to get Gary donning a red festive suit and playing Santa until now,’<\/p>\n
‘But a landmark anniversary is deserving of a landmark gesture \u2013 and Gary not only dressing as Santa for us for the first time, but also sharing his crisps for the first time is exactly that’.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The stunt follows the recent launch of the brand\u2019s Christmas ad which features their large sharing bag range including Walkers MAX, Sensations and Wotsits.<\/p>\n
Also available this Christmas are a selection of limited-edition festive flavours including Walkers Festive Turkey, Pigs in Blankets and even Christmas Pudding flavour.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/15\/01\/78985327-12866433-Gary_rode_a_Walkers_themed_sleigh_packed_high_with_crisps_and_ha-a-25_1702604947964.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Gary rode a Walkers themed sleigh, packed high with crisps and handed out Wotsits, Walkers Sensations and Walkers MAX to stunned passersby – after famously refusing to share the treat in his numerous ads for the brand\u00a0<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/15\/01\/78985323-12866433-At_one_point_the_former_England_player_even_jumped_out_of_the_mo-a-26_1702604947966.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
At one point the former England player even jumped out of the moving festive vehicle to sign footballs for a string of young fans<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/15\/01\/78985331-12866433-As_he_made_his_way_round_the_capital_s_famous_landmark_fans_gath-a-27_1702604947968.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
As he made his way round the capital ‘s famous landmark fans gathered to catch a glimpse of him in his Christmas outfit and also grab a bag of delicious Walkers\u00a0<\/p>\n
It comes after Gary’s full U-turn of his views on VAR and revealed he feels ‘guilty’ for supporting something that is now ‘ruining the game.’<\/p>\n
In recent weeks VAR has faced massive backlash from managers, players and fans after a number of high-profile errors.<\/p>\n
Clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Wolves and many more have all been on the wrong end of decisions.<\/p>\n
PGMOL’s head Howard Webb has been busy writing apology statements to send to clubs after incidents but managers like Mikel Arteta and Gary O’Neil have said this is not enough.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Match of the Day, Gary backed up the grievances from managers and said he was frustrated with the amount of mistakes VAR is making.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/15\/01\/78985329-12866433-Gary_said_It_s_hard_to_believe_that_I_ve_spent_almost_half_my_li-a-28_1702604947970.jpg\")
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Gary said: ‘It’s hard to believe that I’ve spent almost half my life working with Walkers, so we definitely felt we needed to kick off our 30th year with something memorable\u00a0<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/15\/01\/78985325-12866433-Gary_donned_smart_spectacles_and_leather_gloves_as_he_took_on_th-a-30_1702604947981.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Gary donned smart spectacles and leather gloves as he took on the duties of Father Crispmas<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/15\/01\/78985391-12866433-Gary_has_featured_in_numerous_ads_for_Walkers_over_the_past_30_y-a-29_1702604947972.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Gary has featured in numerous ads for Walkers over the past 30-years (pictured in 2016)<\/p>\n
Speaking with pundits Ian Wright and Jermaine Jenas, Lineker vented genuine anguish after more drama on Saturday involving the Arsenal vs Aston Villa game.<\/p>\n
Arsenal fans felt they were wrongly denied a penalty during their 1-0 defeat that denied them going back to the top of the table, as Douglas Luiz brought down Gabriel Jesus in the box.<\/p>\n
Kai Havertz was also denied a late equaliser by VAR after it was ruled the ball hit his hand in the build-up, despite also touching the arm of Villa defender Matty Cash.<\/p>\n
Lineker insisted: ‘Why is it that the defenders can accidentally hand ball it but the forwards can’t? Why are we trying to stop goals?<\/p>\n
‘The people who make the laws of the game why are they doing that, its really bizarre<\/p>\n
‘I have to say I really don’t like VAR very much anymore, I was one of those that advocated it and I actually feel quite guilty, I was definitely wrong it’s spoiling the game.’<\/p>\n
Wright agreed, labelling it ‘ridiculous’ and said it was ‘the most ridiculous law in all of law, not just football.’<\/p>\n
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