Gary Lineker's final Match Of The Day opening: ‘It wasn't meant to end this way'
As the episode started, Lineker said: 'It wasn't meant to end this way… but with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about about.'
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker outside his home in London. Mr Lineker has announced he will leave the BBC after Match Of The Day on Saturday (Ben Whitley/PA)
His early exit comes after he faced criticism for sharing a social media post about Zionism which featured an emoji of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic trope.
Lineker, the BBC's highest-paid presenter, issued an unreserved apology as it was confirmed he would leave his presenting role at the BBC early and will no longer front the corporation's coverage of the 2026 World Cup or the FA Cup next season.
Presenting the final episode alongside fellow pundits, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with whom he also hosts podcast The Rest Is Football, Lineker's departure will be marked with a tribute similar to the one given to Ian Wright when he left in May 2024, it is understood.
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.
Gary Lineker takes part in The Rest Is Football live show, at the Audley Public House in Mayfair, central London (Ben Whitley/PA)
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
Rhyl Journal
13 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Newcastle hail signing of Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa as ‘fantastic addition'
The 24-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the Magpies, who are understood to have paid an initial £39million for his services, with a further £4m due in add-ons. The Villa academy graduate, who made 167 appearances for the club, 10 of them in last season's Champions League, is head coach Eddie Howe's fourth acquisition of a difficult summer. Jacob Ramsey is a Mag! 🙌 — Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 17, 2025 Ramsey said: 'I'm delighted to be here. It's been a mad two or three days, but I'm really happy to be here and I can't wait to get started. 'This is a big move for me, but as soon as I knew the gaffer was interested and really liked me, it didn't take much time to decide. His track record of developing players, especially those who have gone on to become internationals here, speaks for itself. 'It was always a tough game playing for Villa against Newcastle – the team is full of energy, so athletic and the fans are so passionate. I feel my game will suit that and I'm excited to be on the other end of it now.' The Magpies launched their Premier League campaign with a 0-0 draw at Villa on Saturday and Ramsey will join the squad on the training pitch as they begin preparations for champions Liverpool's visit to Tyneside a week on Monday. Howe said: 'Jacob is another fantastic addition to our squad. His qualities will bring us something different on the pitch and he fits the profile of being young and hungry to develop, but also with a wealth of Premier League football under his belt. 'Jacob offers versatility and his directness in attack has proven to be a real threat at this level in recent seasons. He performed very well in the Champions League last season too and we believe he'll be a major asset for us.' Ramsey was part of England's European Under-21 Championship-winning squad in 2023 alongside new team-mate Anthony Gordon. He joins Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale and Malick Thiaw in heading for St James' this summer, although much of the focus has been on the future of wantaway striker Alexander Isak, who was not involved at Villa Park.
Scottish Sun
38 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Cops probing Strictly drug scandal weeks before new series after ‘two stars took cocaine'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POLICE tonight confirmed they are investigating drug allegations relating to Strictly. It comes after The Sun on Sunday revealed on Sunday the BBC-led inquiry had contacted cops. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Strictly Come Dancing has been engulfed in its biggest crisis after police were brought in Credit: PA 4 The Met Police tonight confirmed they are investigating drug allegations relating to Strictly Credit: PA We told two weeks ago how the BBC, with the help of external lawyers Pinsent Masons, were probing claims that two Strictly stars had abused cocaine. Today, in a new statement, a Met spokesperson said: 'On Tuesday 12 August, the Metropolitan Police received an allegation about drug related offences. "Police are assessing the information and further enquiries are taking place to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence being committed. 'We won't be commenting further at this time.' In The Sun's story two weeks ago we told how it was claimed it was 'well known' that two Strictly stars took drugs including cocaine. And it was alleged one Strictly personality had said about one of the stars they were 'off their face … have you seen the pupils in their eyes'. This morning we revealed cops were now involved but did not state the nature and detail of the allegations they were investigating. The corporation had already launched an inquiry into its flagship Saturday night family show amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine. It is understood that detectives from the Met Police are examining other allegations relating to the telly ballroom hit, which has been rocked by a string of controversies. Our latest shock revelation comes as the BBC prepares to launch Strictly's 23rd series next month - after officially announcing the line-up of celebrities including reality TV star Dani Dyer. A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'It's a significant new development in the BBC's recent string of crises that they have now got the police involved in investigating allegations surrounding Strictly. "This is a very dramatic turn of events. 'Despite all the show and its team have been through over recent months, it's hugely controversial that you've now got Scotland Yard detectives probing Strictly. 'This is their biggest prime-time family entertainment show, so it's not a good look for the BBC.' Strictly has been the subject of inquiries into bullying and inappropriate behaviour over the past 14 months. But this is believed to be the first time the BBC has been in contact with the police over allegations linked to the show. It is understood the matter was referred by the BBC after it launched an inquiry, conducted by external lawyers Pinsent Masons, into alleged drug use on the show. The Sun on Sunday reported two weeks ago how it was 'well known' that two Strictly stars took cocaine. It was claimed one accused another of being 'off their face' - saying: 'Have you seen their pupils?' Lawyers were brought in after ex-Strictly star and opera singer Wynne Evans made allegations in a legal submission to the BBC in March. In relation to the drugs allegations, the BBC said a fortnight ago: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. 'We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. 'It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' 4 BBC bosses alerted police after lawyers began an inquiry into the scandal-hit series Credit: Getty
Daily Record
43 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Dane Murray lifts lid on Celtic ball boy memories with youngster ready to be thrown in Champions League deep end
The defender scored his first Hoops' goal in the Premier Sports Cup victory against Falkirk There are several Celtic stars who have made the journey from ball boy to the Champions League big time at Parkhead. But few have had to take a winding path like Dane Murray. The big defender is dreaming of joining Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Anthony Ralston in the band of Bhoys who got to help out their heroes from the sidelines as kids and then became star turns on the pitch. And the opportunity would be all the sweeter for Murray after being forced to wait almost four years to kick on after getting a taste as a teenager. The centre back was launched into the Hoops side in former boss Ange Postecoglou's early days in charge with high-pressure initiations in the Champions League qualifiers against Midtjylland in 2021. But a couple of brutal cruciate injuries back-to-back threatened his career never mind halting his progress. Murray has put the heartache behind him and forced his way back into boss Brendan Rodgers ' plans. He celebrated a new contract on Friday morning with a start and a goal in the Premier Sports Cup win against Falkirk and is now dreaming of completing his dream of walking out at Celtic Park in the Champions League. Celts will need to see off Kairat Almaty this week to get back to the big time and Murray said: 'It definitely makes it all worth it. You think back on hard things, but it really stands you in good stead and puts you in a good place to win, ultimately, the chance that this comes, you go and take it. 'It helps a lot when you've got a manager like him that trusts you and puts you into games like this, and then I'm just grateful for every opportunity that he gives me. 'It's just about being on it every day in training, making sure I'm ready that when my chance does come, I'm ready to take it.' Murray can handle anything after being lobbed in at the deep end four years ago. He said: 'I think it all happened very quickly. I was 18 at the time, it was all maybe too quick for me, or too early, but I think now I'm definitely ready to take that chance. 'It was a crazy, crazy time back then. I was young and it was covid times as well, so it was a lesser crowd. I think it's different for games like this when it's packed out. 'But when you're that young, you just want to take every opportunity you can get, regardless. I felt the pressure a wee bit, but I just took it in my stride.' Murray's positive attitude got him through some dark times – along with the backing of his loved ones and Hoops assistant boss John Kennedy, who knows exactly about the anguish of serious injury. The defender said: 'I did my cruciate twice, so that was pretty much two years out of the game. For me personally, I'm just quite a get-on-with-it kind person, so that's what I did, just got on with it. 'You think the worst, but ultimately, I'm quite an optimistic person, so it's how do I bounce back from this, how do I get myself in the right frame of mind to ultimately go again, and have another crack at it. 'I've got a lot of time for the people that help me along the way, my family, my friends, my girlfriend Yasmin as well, everybody that helped me along the way, as I say, I'm very thankful for that. 'Kendo went through a rough time himself as a player, so I can always lean on him if I need help with anything. 'He's been on a bit of a long journey, as he said himself, and just helped me along the way, so I'm really grateful for the time he gave me.' Murray is also inspired by the Scottish core of the Celtic side – and his fellow former ball boy crew. He said: 'I can't really remember what games, it was that long ago, but there were few of the big ones. 'Going from a ball boy to then playing in it, when I did, and then being a part of it now, it's crazy. It's been a long journey, but I'm just loving every minute. 'This is what I want to be. Look at the players that have been here and done it. For me, it's just a real driving force to go and do what they've done at this club. 'It really gives you a lot of inspiration coming through, seeing these guys and what they've won. You've got guys like James here, who's the most decorated player at the club. 'He's probably sick of people saying that, to be honest, but you can look at guys like him and Cal and then KT coming back as well, it's really inspiring. I think it's always been a factor at this club, so hopefully I can be a part of it as well.' The deep end was calling again last season when he made a late sub appearance against Aston Villa, where his slip up led to a late fourth for the EPL big guns. You live and learn but he's ready to answer the call if he gets the shout to face Kairat in Wednesday's Champions League play-off first leg showdown. He said: 'You dream of Champions League and nights like that, going out and playing, so we'll see what happens. 'That was a bit crazy at Villa Park. I think there was maybe ten minutes left, and it wasn't a great night for myself – thanks for reminding me! 'I was just grateful for the opportunity. That's the goal for this team, is making it through the Champions League and getting as far as we can. 'It's definitely a big game under the lights here. I just hope the boys can go out there and do their best. It was a good performance one Friday, so hopefully we can roll it into Wednesday.'
