Gary Lineker to leave the BBC after MOTD this weekend
The former England striker, who played for Leicester City, Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona during his football career announced last November he was stepping down as host of Match of the Day (MOTD) at the end of the season.
Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999, when he took over from Des Lynam.
Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will replace the former England striker on MOTD from next season.
Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share hosting duties of BBC Match of the Day from next season, replacing Gary Lineker (Image: BBC)
However, the 64-year-old said he would carry on working with the BBC until the end of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Gary Lineker to leave the BBC before 2026 World Cup
The BBC and Lineker, on Monday (May 19), released a joint statement saying he would step away from the broadcasting completely following MOTD this weekend.
This will mean he will not be part of its 2026 World Cup coverage of FA Cup coverage next season.
Lineker's departure comes after he 'apologised unreservedly' for sharing and then deleting a post on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, which prompted calls for him to be sacked from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).
BBC Director-General, Tim Davie, said: 'Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.
'Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.
"His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made."
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Gary Lineker said: 'Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
'I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
'However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.'
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Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then Government's new asylum policy.
He was also among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC to rebroadcast a documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, to BBC iPlayer.
The presenter has been the BBC's highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years and was estimated to have earned £1.35 million in the year 2023-24, according to the corporation's annual report published in July last year.
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