My brother, Michael Elias, a writer and director tells me when visitors come to the set of a film, nothing stops. The only exception is if they are athletes.

Maybe it’s because everyone thinks, if pressed, they could act, sing or dance, but never run a race, ski downhill or score a goal. When Gary Lineker, one of the great footballers of our time, walks into The River Cafe everything stops. 

He is one of the very few footballers never to have received a red or yellow card — consistent with who he is: principled, respectful and fair — values we share.

We’re also both in the world of podcasts - his company Goal Hanger has 18 million listeners a month.

Gary and I also share the world of food.

Look at his Instagram account and you will see as many photographs of what he is cooking as the games he is analysing on Match of the Day.

Today, Gary is in The River Cafe kitchen with Joseph Trivelli making Potato Gnocchi with tomato sauce.

When he comes back I will definitely stop what I’m doing to talk to him about food, football, family and principles. 

It’s a goal.

Ruthie's Table 4 is made in partnership with Moncler.