Christmas time. A time for all the family to come together, share a massive meal, and sit around the fire as one. Fire. Whatever you do, don't mention fire to George Lineker.
The 25-year-old son of ex-England international, and now Match Of The Day presenter, Gary, made Christmas memorable for all the wrong reasons.
George, who is now working on his own app to revolutionise mobile-phone privacy, spoke to LADbible to reveal the year he nearly burnt down the Lineker household.
"I was about six-years-old," he said. "Obviously, all the Christmas decorations were up and it was freezing. I was on my own in the living room."
While most six-year-old's in 1998 were obsessed with Game Boys, Power Rangers and Lego, George had a different love.
Gary with George in the 90s. Credit: PA
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"I had a thing for fire," he explains. "So, at the time, I think I was obsessed with lighting candles. I thought I'd do the nice thing and make a fire for everyone.
"It was a nice fireplace with logs, and I don't know how it went wrong, but I obviously did something in error. I turned my back and the next thing I know the front room was going up in flames.
"The wallpaper started to go, as did the plants and decorations around the fire, there was loads of smoke.
"The flames went right to the top of the room, and spread wider than the fireplace. I don't think any valuables were ruined. Thankfully, for my benefit."
A quick-thinking Gary Lineker soon got the situation under control, according to his son.
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"The next think I hear is my Dad coming down the stairs with a whole load of towels. I don't know how he managed to get the fire under control and put most of it out.
"The fire brigade was called and I got a huge telling off from them, and my dad," George added.
"It was a proper 'what the fuck' moment for him. Luckily my brothers weren't there.
"I genuinely don't know how it went wrong. It was just before the presents were put under the tree so they weren't ruined but I have a strong feeling I got a few less than I should have that year."
Gary (second-left), George (far-right), and two of his three brothers. Credit: PA
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The fire had a positive outcome though, George's future health.
"I don't think I've lit a fire since then, it's probably the reason I don't smoke," he added.
And, as true in any family. It is important that this is not forgotten and is instead brought up most years. Including, undoubtedly, Christmas 2017.
"I thought they were starting to forget about it, but now we've brought it up again here, I probably won't be getting anything this Christmas," he said.
The punishment for George's acts are unknown, apart from a reduced present-pile, but it's likely he was in his bedroom writing apologetic lines to his family.
Or would he? Gary has openly said that homework should be banned, so surely that would only be hypocritical.
Either way, George's pyrotechnic days were over before they even began.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Gary Lineker, Christmas