BBC stars Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand, Alex Scott and other leading names fronting its Qatar World Cup coverage are enjoying a pampered lifestyle while staying in a luxury block where apartments cost up to £2,500 per night, MailOnline can reveal.
The corporation’s high-profile World Cup team have been making the most of their time at the stylish Le Mirage City Walk apartment complex, which they have called home since the tournament kicked off almost three weeks ago.
They have become residents of the block which promises those living there that they will become part of an ‘holistic community.’
Their World Cup HQ is located in one of Doha’s most exclusive areas and comes with a spectacular rooftop swimming pool, offering stunning views of the city, a landscaped terrace, indoor swimming pool, and a therapy pool.
For the footballers and commentators who want to work out there is a well-equipped gym, spa, café as well as football, tennis and basketball courts.
BBC stars Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand, Alex Scott and other leading names fronting its Qatar World Cup coverage are enjoying a pampered lifestyle while staying in a luxury block where apartments cost up to £2,500 per night, MailOnline can reveal
The corporation’s high-profile World Cup team have been making the most of their time at the stylish Le Mirage City Walk apartment complex, which they have called home since the tournament kicked off almost three weeks ago
The luxury complex, which is made up of 400 flats in five interconnecting blocks, is also well known for its iconic rooftop jogging track (pictured) which gives runners outstanding views of the Qatari capital
Their World Cup HQ is located in one of Doha’s most exclusive areas and comes with a spectacular rooftop swimming pool, offering stunning views of the city, a landscaped terrace, indoor swimming pool, and a therapy pool
The luxury complex, which is made up of 400 flats in five interconnecting blocks, is also well known for its iconic rooftop jogging track which gives runners outstanding views of the Qatari capital.
During the World Cup, rents for one-bedroom apartments are around £1,600 per night while those with three bedrooms an eye-watering £2,500 per night, meaning hundreds of thousands of pounds of licence fee payers money is being spent on providing top class facilities for the BBC team.
Other BBC presenters and pundits also staying in the prestigious complex include former footballers Dion Dublin, Martin Keown, Ashley Williams, Danny Murphy, Vincent Kompany, ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman.
A number of the BBC’s World Cup production team are also staying at the lavish complex which was completed in 2018.
The star team from the Beeb have become familiar faces in the adjacent café Flavours which serves up lattes, fresh fruit juices and French toast.
Ferdinand pops in for breakfast, while Chapman and Danny Murphy can be seen sipping their drinks and still chatting about the games they commentated on the night before.
For the footballers and commentators who want to work out there is a well-equipped gym, spa, café as well as football, tennis and basketball courts
During the World Cup, rents for one-bedroom apartments are around £1,600 per night while those with three bedrooms an eye-watering £2,500 per night, meaning hundreds of thousands of pounds of licence fee payers money is being spent on providing top class facilities for the BBC team
A number of the BBC’s World Cup production team are also staying at the lavish complex which was completed in 2018
The star team from the Beeb have become familiar faces in the adjacent café Flavours which serves up lattes, fresh fruit juices and French toast
Ferdinand pops in for breakfast, while Chapman and Danny Murphy can be seen sipping their drinks and still chatting about the games they commentated on the night before
They are happy to pose for selfies with football fans who have travelled across the world for the tournament.
It is not known how many staff the BBC has brought to Qatar and the corporation did not respond to a request for staffing numbers.
But according to available figures, it took 272 for the 2014 Brazil World Cup. For the 2010 South Africa tournament BBC staff numbered 295, costing the corporation £20,000 per person.
At the time, the BBC was also slammed for spending a staggering £6million on its World Cup coverage.
Away from covering Qatar World Cup games, Lineker and company have been enjoying the Le Mirage Walk’s splendour, particularly its rooftop pool, to the bemusement of some regular residents.
Teacher Beth Martin, 29, who lives in the complex, told MailOnline: ‘Since the BBC arrived it’s been a hive of activity, there are celebrities everywhere and on one hand, it’s been lovely.
They are happy to pose for selfies with football fans who have travelled across the world for the tournament. Pictured: Ashley Williams
It is not known how many staff the BBC has brought to Qatar and the corporation did not respond to a request for staffing numbers. Pictured: Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman
But according to available figures, it took 272 for the 2014 Brazil World Cup. For the 2010 South Africa tournament BBC staff numbered 295, costing the corporation £20,000 per person. Pictured: Dion Dublin
At the time, the BBC was also slammed for spending a staggering £6million on its World Cup coverage
‘But it’s a struggle to get a sunbed because some of them do like being around the rooftop pool.
‘I feel that I have been living Match of the Day since the World Cup kicked off because it’s so strange to see Lineker and other famous footballers in and around the complex each day.’
Ms Martin revealed how the BBC stars happily posed for selfies with her and her father Jeremy, also a teacher, who was visiting Qatar to attend England’s World Cup match against Wales.
She added: ‘My little footballing heart has been overwhelmed.
‘It’s incredible meeting these people who are my heroes. But it’s not cheap to stay here because all of the prices have been increased for the World Cup.
‘I can’t imagine what the BBC must be paying to have all these people here?’
Away from covering Qatar World Cup games, Lineker and company have been enjoying the Le Mirage Walk’s splendour, particularly its rooftop pool, to the bemusement of some regular residents
Teacher Beth Martin, 29, who lives in the complex, told MailOnline: ‘Since the BBC arrived it’s been a hive of activity, there are celebrities everywhere and on one hand, it’s been lovely’
‘But it’s a struggle to get a sunbed because some of them do like being around the rooftop pool’
Ms Martin revealed how the BBC stars happily posed for selfies with her and her father Jeremy, also a teacher, who was visiting Qatar to attend England’s World Cup match against Wales
Ironically, despite living in the lap of luxury while in Qatar, the BBC chose to ignore the opening ceremony of the World Cup by not broadcasting it on terrestrial television but only online because of the country’s human rights record
Lineker, an outspoken critic of Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and the LGBT community, introduced the BBC’s coverage of the tournament by describing it as ‘the most controversial in World Cup history’
Another resident said: ‘I have to pinch myself when I see Lineker and other stars in the building. The BBC lot are clearly enjoying themselves here because when they’re not in the stadium on TV they’re by the pool.
‘This complex is usually very quiet, just like the rest of Doha but it’s been incredibly busy over the past few weeks.
‘The only problem is trying to get a sunbed by the pool.
‘Normally it’s never a problem but these ex-footballers seem to get there first. They might be retired but they still move very fast.’
Ironically, despite living in the lap of luxury while in Qatar, the BBC chose to ignore the opening ceremony of the World Cup by not broadcasting it on terrestrial television but only online because of the country’s human rights record.
Lineker, an outspoken critic of Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and the LGBT community, introduced the BBC’s coverage of the tournament by describing it as ‘the most controversial in World Cup history.’
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
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