Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker (pictured) has admitted to getting a 'spanking' after tweeting about the 'hideously racist' and 'utterly heartless' treatment of refugees

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker today admitted he is getting a 'spanking' for calling people who questioned the age of child migrants 'racist'.

The former footballer, 55, also insisted the BBC would not sack him over his comments.

Speaking after receiving a barrage of abuse online he said: 'Getting a bit of a spanking today, but things could be worse - Imagine, just for a second, being a refugee having to flee from your home.

He added: 'Must say though, I'm rather chuffed to have been called a 'luvvie'.'

The 55-year-old also responded to one Twitter user who claimed he 'deserved' to lose his job, saying 'I won't'.

Mr Lineker's tweets this week have split opinion, with some congratulating him and others accusing him of breaching BBC impartiality rules.

Conservative MP David Davies said: 'I hope he apologises. I question if the BBC should be employing him when he seems to be using his fame to push out his rather emotive and controversial views.'

Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke said: 'He needs to decide if he's a political activist or BBC sports journalist - he can't be both.'

Defiant: Mr Lineker said that he would not be sacked by the BBC - and was proud of his 'luvvie' tag

Row: A 15ft screen runs the length of the street in Croydon as more young migrants arrive in Britain

New start: Unaccompanied migrant minors from the Calais Jungle camp board a bus bound for the UK today

The BBC has said he is a freelance employee and is giving his own personal views.

The retired footballer's comments were met with a barrage of abuse from users of the social media site Twitter, forcing Lineker to defend his views.

He also spread false claims about an Afghan at the centre of the child migrant storm. He retweeted to his 5.3 million followers a charity’s untrue and unchecked claim that the oldest-looking asylum seeker, who had wrinkles around his eyes, was actually a Home Office translator – which the Home Office later confirmed was incorrect.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn sent a message of support for Lineker and singer Lily Allen, who was criticised in some quarters for apologising to migrants at Calais 'on behalf of my country'.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Corbyn said: 'I admire Gary Lineker and Lily Allen for showing Britain at its best: compassionate, welcoming, and standing up to fear and division.'

Pictures of the migrants arriving sparked controversy, with politicians among those to question their ages. Tory MP David Davies said some 'don't look like children' and was later condemned by dentists after calling for tests on teeth to verify the age of child migrants.

He wrote on Twitter: 'The treatment by some towards these young refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless. What's happening to our country?'

His post was retweeted more than 11,000 times and 'favourited' by 22,000 users. But many took exception to the comment, including former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson.

He replied: 'They are not children you clown. If you care that much why don't you adopt one of these 'children'.'

Around 200 unaccompanied children with family already in the UK will be brought across the Channel by the end of the week, according to French police, including Tore, 17, pictured taking a selfie today as he left France

England's record goalscorer wrote on Twitter: 'The treatment by some towards these young refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless. What's happening to our country?'

Lineker was quick to respond, tweeting back: 'Racist idiot', but many other users were also critical of his views.

Tim Bradley wrote: 'The Jungle kids don't look like kids - not racist to say so, and you're overstepping your mark as a neutral BBC presenter.'

Lineker replied: ‘I’ll say what I want on my twitter feed, thanks.’

And Owen Gibbs added: 'I think it has a lot to do with the fact we were told it would be refugee children but we're seeing migrant men.'

A host of BBC colleagues leapt to Lineker’s defence. Head of comedy at BBC studios Chris Sussman said: ‘I’m proud that @GaryLineker works at the BBC. Brilliant footballer, great presenter and clearly someone with a bit of compassion.’

Charlie Slater, a BBC weather presenter and sports journalist, wrote: ‘Respect you for standing up and saying something.’

Other Twitter users praised the football pundit for speaking out.

In response to all the reaction, Lineker tweeted: 'Wonder what makes some people feel, by sheer good fortune of place of birth, superior to others. I need a lie down.'

Lineker is the latest in a string of 'luvvies' to tweet about child migrants from the Calais Jungle.

Last week Lily Allen tearfully apologised 'on behalf of my country' to an Afghan refugee there.

She wept as she told Shamsher Sherin, 13, who has since come to Britain: 'The English in particular have put you in danger…I'm sorry for what we have put you through.'

His post was retweeted more than 7,000 times and favourited by 15,000 users. But many took exception to the comment, with users - including Owen Gibbs - firing back at the retired player

The 31-year-old pop star took time out from recording her new album to volunteer in a charity warehouse at the squalid camp, where 10,000 migrants and refugees live while trying to find ways to sneak into Britain.

Other left-wing figures including actor Jude Law and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have also visited the Jungle to witness the conditions, while Law was one of 145 luvvies, including Stephen Fry and Colin Firth, to put his name to a letter in February demanding that the then prime minister David Cameron let the hundreds of children living in the camp to come to Britain.