In the House of Lords debate, Lord Young made the suggestion that the BBC could save on talent costs by hiring a woman instead of Lineker, a former English footballer and current sports broadcaster.
His comment was met with backlash from fellow Labour party members, with one MP calling it "utterly inappropriate."
The debate also touched on the ongoing debate surrounding the gender pay gap in media, with some arguing that the BBC and other media outlets have a responsibility to address the issue and ensure equality in pay for male and female presenters.
Overall, the comment made by Lord Young has been criticised for its insensitive and sexist implications, with some arguing that such a suggestion perpetuates a culture of unequal treatment and discrimination against female presenters.
While some argue that his comment was made in jest or as a provocative statement, others see it as a clear example of a lack of awareness and respect for gender equality in media.