Gary Lineker to present last Match Of The Day as he exits BBC
He will no longer front BBC coverage of the 2026 World Cup, or coverage of the FA Cup next season, as had been previously announced.
Lineker's departure will be marked with a tribute similar to the one given to Ian Wright when he left last year, it is understood.
A video montage was played for Wright which featured highlights from his career and tributes from Lineker, Alan Shearer, England player Bukayo Saka and his family.
Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day since 1999, attracted criticism after sharing a social media post about Zionism which featured an emoji of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic trope.
He issued an unreserved apology for the 'hurt and upset caused' by the video, stating it was a 'genuine mistake'.
Lineker, the BBC's highest-paid presenter, said in an Instagram video that it was 'best for all concerned that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether'.
'It's been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for 30 years, especially hosting Match of the Day, a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life,' he added.
Lineker joined the programme after starting out as a BBC Radio Five Live presenter, also working on Grandstand during his early years in broadcasting.
He is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts which makes The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money.
His podcast, The Rest Is Football, which he co-hosts alongside Match Of The Day pundits Shearer and Micah Richards, will have its last episode on BBC Sounds this week, but The Rest Is History will continue on BBC Sounds, PA understands.
The presenter was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 over an impartiality row about comments he made criticising the then-government's new asylum policy.
In February of this year he was also among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter calling on the BBC to rebroadcast a documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, to BBC iPlayer.
Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will replace the Leicester-born star and share the presenting role on Match Of The Day from the next Premier League season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
EastEnders' Belvinder Sopal reveals it's taken 21 YEARS to sign up for Strictly after 2025 line up reveal
EASTENDERS star Balvinder Sopal has revealed that it has taken 21 years to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing. The actress was previously revealed to be part of the cast of the 2025 edition of the long-running BBC celebrity dancing competition. 5 Balvinder Sopal was revealed to be a contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Credit: BBC 5 The actress admitted that she wanted to compete on the dance floor for over two decades Credit: BBC / Kieron McCarron 5 She admitted that she asked her agent to approach bosses for years Credit: BBC Balvinder, 46, rose to prominence in 2020 when she made her first appearance as Suki Panesar in EastEnders. Before this, she held various roles in huge shows such as Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Doctors and Hollyoaks. After becoming a fan favourite amongst soap fans, she will strut her stuff on the BBC One dance floor. However, competing on the celebrity ballroom dancing programme has been a dream for the actress since the show launched in 2004. Balvinder broke her silence on the announcement of her participation as she opened up on her journey on Instagram. The forthcoming contestant admitted that her team has been on at bosses to book her for the show for two decades. She wrote: "A dream 21 years in the making from when I first asked my agent to ask @bbcstrictly if I could be on the show. "Never did I ever think it would happen. And now.... since the announcement my feet haven't touched the ground." The actress continued: "And we haven't even started properly. "Yesterday was a big day; our first day meeting and greeting the Strictly Team, the other brilliant and talented contestants, and of course, the PROS." Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup IN FULL - including Game of Thrones star & famous YouTuber The actress did not give any hints about who her partner is, but she did say that she loved seeing them. "Watching the pros on telly is one thing... seeing them in person is a whole other story. In absolute awe," she stated. Balvinder praised bosses at the long-running soap for allowing her to take the time to rehearse. She explained: "@bbceastenders - simply THANK YOU for allowing this to happen, @bbcstrictly THANK YOU for asking me. "And thank you to every single one of you whom have sent messages of love and support, and shared in my absolute delight & excitement of this wonderful opportunity." Balvinder added: "It's going to be tough, but I know one thing for sure, I am going to savour every single second of my journey on Strictly Come Dancing. "Come, let's dance." 5 Balvinder rose to prominence in 2020 when she first appeared on EastEnders Credit: BBC
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Chelsea close in on €69 million-rated Dutch international, Eze set for Spurs move
Updated at 17.32 CHELSEA TRANSFER target Xavi Simons is only interested in moving to Stamford Bridge despite a reported attempt by Bayern Munich to hijack the deal, the PA news agency understands. Talks have been ongoing with RB Leipzig all summer over a move for the Netherlands international as the Blues look to wrap up what would be a ninth first-team signing. Whilst an agreement is yet to be reached between the clubs, PA understands that the 22-year-old, who has won 28 international caps and scored in his country's Euro 2024 semi-final defeat to England, is not moved by interest from the Bundesliga champions and has his heart set on a move to west London. Advertisement Leipzig had been keen on bringing back Christopher Nkunku after a disappointing two years at Chelsea, that have been badly hampered by injury, but it is understood the France international does not want to return to his former club, quashing any chance he could be used as a makeweight in a deal for Simons. Simons, who is reportedly valued at around £60 million (€69 million) can play either as an attacking midfielder or on the wing and is a potentially more flexible attacking option than Nkunku, as Enzo Maresca seeks to complete the revamp of his forward line following the acquisitions of Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, Brazilian winger Estevao Willian and strikers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. Joao Felix and Noni Madueke have already been moved on this summer, with Nkunku set to follow them after Maresca decided there was no place for the 27-year-old in his plans for the new season. Chelsea kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, looking to build on a fourth-place finish last season. Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze is understood to be closing in on a move to Tottenham. The PA news agency understands the England international has reached an agreement with his current club, Crystal Palace, that he will not play for them at Chelsea on Sunday. Eze was a critical player as Palace won the FA Cup last season and also featured as the Eagles saw off Liverpool to lift the Community Shield last weekend. The 27-year-old — who has long been linked with a move across London — joined Palace in 2020 from QPR and has gone on to win 11 England caps.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Premier League: Spurs and Sunderland open with big wins
Tottenham began the Thomas Frank era in the Premier League with a convincing 3-0 home victory over promoted side Burnley thanks to a majestic double from striker Richarlison, which included an acrobatic volley. The Brazilian opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he turned in a cross from new recruit Mohammed Kudus and the pair combined again on the hour mark when Richarlison volleyed a well-timed effort into the net to extend the lead. Six minutes later, Brennan Johnson made it 3-0 on the counter-attack after Richarlison won the ball back in midfield as Burnley struggled to deal with Spurs' press and intensity. It was no meek surrender from the visitors, however, as they managed to get forward and take nearly as many shots as Tottenham, but Scott Parker's side lacked quality in finishing. Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze is understood to be closing in on a move to Tottenham. It is understood the England international has reached an agreement with current club Crystal Palace that he will not play for them at Chelsea on Sunday. Eze was a critical player as Palace won the FA Cup last season and also featured as the Eagles saw off Liverpool to lift the Community Shield last weekend. The 27-year-old – who has long been linked with a move across London – joined Palace in 2020 from QPR and has gone on to win 11 England caps. Sunderland marked their return to the Premier League in style with a 3-0 win over West Ham at the Stadium of Light. Following an eight-year absence from the top flight, the Black Cats withstood some promising attacks spearheaded by Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen in the first half and after the break it was their Championship play-off heroes who proved to be the difference. They went ahead through Eliezer Mayenda's header and Dan Ballard soon extended the advantage, nodding home into the same spot as his last-gasp winner against Coventry in the play-off semi-finals. Substitute Wilson Isidor struck in added time to wrap up three points in Sunderland's first Premier League appearance since May 2017. Substitute Rodrigo Muniz struck a dramatic added-time equaliser as Fulham snatched a 1-1 Premier League draw against Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Brazilian forward Muniz pounced six minutes beyond the 90 when the Seagulls failed to deal with a Harry Wilson corner. Albion were on course to begin the season with three points after Matt O'Riley converted a 55th-minute penalty following Sander Berge's foul on Georginio Rutter. Fulham had plenty of the ball after falling behind but rode their luck and rarely tested Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before the late twist.
