Latest news with #Leicester-born
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gary Lineker attends son's wedding days after quitting job - and Wayne was there
Gary Lineker was seen looking suave and happy at his son's wedding over the weekend. The presenter, 64, enjoyed his son's milestone moment after a tumultuous couple of weeks after he was let go from the BBC over comments he made about Palestine. His son George, 33, took to Instagram on Monday to share some special moments from the huge family celebration - which also included Gary's estranged brother Wayne. George posted a sweet snap of himself and his famous dad beaming alongside one another as they posed after Harry and his new wife said their 'I do's'. The England star turned pundit was due to present coverage for the Beeb until the end of this season before bowing out. However, Gary will now be exiting earlier than initially intended after sharing a pro-Palestine video about the Gaza conflict on social media. The clip in question, which shows Canadian-Palestinian lawyer Diana Buddu criticising Israel's actions in Gaza, includes a controversial cartoon rat emoji, a symbol associated with antisemitic tropes. Following an outcry, Gary released a statement on Monday (May 19), apologising for the offence caused and emphasising that he would "never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic". The 64-year-old also revealed he would be stepping back from his high-profile presenting position after two eventful decades, leaving longtime viewers to wonder what's next for the legendary striker. In his statement, Leicester-born Gary told fans: "I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I'd never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic - 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." BBC Director-General Tim Davie has also issued the following statement: "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."
Leader Live
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Match Of The Day fans sad to see Gary Lineker go amid exit
He said fronting the show had been an 'absolute privilege' and 'utterly joyous'. The player-turned-pundit's early departure from the broadcaster follows a social media row after the 64-year-old shared a post about Zionism, which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. He presented his final episode alongside fellow pundits, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with whom he also hosts podcast The Rest Is Football, which is produced by his company Goalhanger Podcasts. Gary Lineker says goodbye to #MOTD after 25 years. In his final message, Lineker said: 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It's been an absolute privilege to host Match Of The Day for a quarter of a century. 'It's been utterly joyous.' Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will replace the Leicester-born star and share the presenting role on MOTD from the next Premier League season and Lineker wished the trio 'all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.' Lineker is the BBC's highest-paid presenter and 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. A post shared by Times Sport (@timessport) He ended his on-air thank you saying: 'And my final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching, thank you for all your love and support over the years. It has been so special, and I am sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.' The former Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton striker wiped away tears after being played a video montage which featured messages from pundits past and present including Richards, Shearer and Scottish pundit Alan Hansen, former footballer Danny Murphy and former MOTD pundit, Ian Wright. In the video montage, Shearer said: 'Gary, you've been a great friend. You are a great friend. You've been amazing to me, and you've been unbelievable to Match Of The Day. So whatever you choose to do on Saturdays, good luck, and we'll miss you.' There were also words from Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri and former team-mates Alan Smith, Paul Gascoigne and Peter Shilton, as well as Lineker's sons George, Harry, Tobias and Angus. They also showed a clip of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma at Leicester's title celebrations in 2016, with old footage showing Lineker emotional as he watched the performance. Bocelli was among the people leaving a farewell message for Lineker before he was shown playing out the show. Taking to X, fans of MOTD shared their support for Lineker amid his exit with one saying: "Gary Lineker was the face of football for me growing up. "As a kid being allowed to stay up late to watch Liverpool highlights on Match of the Day was a highlight of the week. "Thank you for 25 years to one of the best to ever do it." A post shared by Gary Lineker (@garylineker) Another shared: "Gary Lineker is a good man. I hope he prospers and has good health for the rest of his days". This person said: "Growing up and watching MOTD every weekend a massive part of that was Gary Lineker. "It won't (be) the same without him #MOTD". Near the end of the episode Lineker quipped: 'It had to be Leicester last', following him appearing on Match Of The Day in just his underpants in August 2016, having stuck to a promise to appear half-naked if Leicester won the Premier League. He wore white and blue Leicester shorts for the first 30 minutes of the show then appeared back on screen fully dressed. Leicester is Lineker's boyhood club and he scored 94 goals in 194 matches for the Foxes. Recommended reading: Gary Lineker to host his final Match Of The Day today amid exit from the BBC Gary Lineker breaks silence on Match of the Day exit and regrets 'damage' to BBC BBC confirms Gary Lineker to step down as MOTD host but will continue presenting During the episode, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also featured, telling Lineker: 'Thank you for being such a great presenter of a BBC show that I have watched many times when I lived in Holland, and now still. It's great what you did.' The programme was preceded with a montage of Lineker's on-field footballing highlights and an archive clip of him as a presenter saying 'the end of an era' before the regular opening credits and theme tune played. Lineker has presented Match Of The Day since 1999 and has also fronted the BBC's coverage of other major sporting events, including the 2012 London Olympics. He opened the final episode saying: '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.' Match Of The Day is one of the BBC's top-performing programmes and the corporation retains the rights to continue showing Premier League highlights until the end of the 2028-29 season.
Rhyl Journal
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Match Of The Day fans sad to see Gary Lineker go amid exit
He said fronting the show had been an 'absolute privilege' and 'utterly joyous'. The player-turned-pundit's early departure from the broadcaster follows a social media row after the 64-year-old shared a post about Zionism, which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. He presented his final episode alongside fellow pundits, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with whom he also hosts podcast The Rest Is Football, which is produced by his company Goalhanger Podcasts. Gary Lineker says goodbye to #MOTD after 25 years. In his final message, Lineker said: 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It's been an absolute privilege to host Match Of The Day for a quarter of a century. 'It's been utterly joyous.' Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will replace the Leicester-born star and share the presenting role on MOTD from the next Premier League season and Lineker wished the trio 'all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.' Lineker is the BBC's highest-paid presenter and 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. A post shared by Times Sport (@timessport) He ended his on-air thank you saying: 'And my final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching, thank you for all your love and support over the years. It has been so special, and I am sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.' The former Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton striker wiped away tears after being played a video montage which featured messages from pundits past and present including Richards, Shearer and Scottish pundit Alan Hansen, former footballer Danny Murphy and former MOTD pundit, Ian Wright. In the video montage, Shearer said: 'Gary, you've been a great friend. You are a great friend. You've been amazing to me, and you've been unbelievable to Match Of The Day. So whatever you choose to do on Saturdays, good luck, and we'll miss you.' There were also words from Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri and former team-mates Alan Smith, Paul Gascoigne and Peter Shilton, as well as Lineker's sons George, Harry, Tobias and Angus. They also showed a clip of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma at Leicester's title celebrations in 2016, with old footage showing Lineker emotional as he watched the performance. Bocelli was among the people leaving a farewell message for Lineker before he was shown playing out the show. Taking to X, fans of MOTD shared their support for Lineker amid his exit with one saying: "Gary Lineker was the face of football for me growing up. "As a kid being allowed to stay up late to watch Liverpool highlights on Match of the Day was a highlight of the week. "Thank you for 25 years to one of the best to ever do it." A post shared by Gary Lineker (@garylineker) Another shared: "Gary Lineker is a good man. I hope he prospers and has good health for the rest of his days". This person said: "Growing up and watching MOTD every weekend a massive part of that was Gary Lineker. "It won't (be) the same without him #MOTD". Near the end of the episode Lineker quipped: 'It had to be Leicester last', following him appearing on Match Of The Day in just his underpants in August 2016, having stuck to a promise to appear half-naked if Leicester won the Premier League. He wore white and blue Leicester shorts for the first 30 minutes of the show then appeared back on screen fully dressed. Leicester is Lineker's boyhood club and he scored 94 goals in 194 matches for the Foxes. Recommended reading: Gary Lineker to host his final Match Of The Day today amid exit from the BBC Gary Lineker breaks silence on Match of the Day exit and regrets 'damage' to BBC BBC confirms Gary Lineker to step down as MOTD host but will continue presenting During the episode, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also featured, telling Lineker: 'Thank you for being such a great presenter of a BBC show that I have watched many times when I lived in Holland, and now still. It's great what you did.' The programme was preceded with a montage of Lineker's on-field footballing highlights and an archive clip of him as a presenter saying 'the end of an era' before the regular opening credits and theme tune played. Lineker has presented Match Of The Day since 1999 and has also fronted the BBC's coverage of other major sporting events, including the 2012 London Olympics. He opened the final episode saying: '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.' Match Of The Day is one of the BBC's top-performing programmes and the corporation retains the rights to continue showing Premier League highlights until the end of the 2028-29 season.
North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Match Of The Day fans sad to see Gary Lineker go amid exit
He said fronting the show had been an 'absolute privilege' and 'utterly joyous'. The player-turned-pundit's early departure from the broadcaster follows a social media row after the 64-year-old shared a post about Zionism, which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. He presented his final episode alongside fellow pundits, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with whom he also hosts podcast The Rest Is Football, which is produced by his company Goalhanger Podcasts. Gary Lineker says goodbye to #MOTD after 25 years. — Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 25, 2025 In his final message, Lineker said: 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It's been an absolute privilege to host Match Of The Day for a quarter of a century. 'It's been utterly joyous.' Who will present Match Of The Day after Gary Lineker exit? Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will replace the Leicester-born star and share the presenting role on MOTD from the next Premier League season and Lineker wished the trio 'all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.' Lineker is the BBC's highest-paid presenter and 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. He ended his on-air thank you saying: 'And my final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching, thank you for all your love and support over the years. It has been so special, and I am sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.' Gary Lineker tearful as he said goodbye to Match Of The Day The former Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton striker wiped away tears after being played a video montage which featured messages from pundits past and present including Richards, Shearer and Scottish pundit Alan Hansen, former footballer Danny Murphy and former MOTD pundit, Ian Wright. In the video montage, Shearer said: 'Gary, you've been a great friend. You are a great friend. You've been amazing to me, and you've been unbelievable to Match Of The Day. So whatever you choose to do on Saturdays, good luck, and we'll miss you.' There were also words from Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri and former team-mates Alan Smith, Paul Gascoigne and Peter Shilton, as well as Lineker's sons George, Harry, Tobias and Angus. They also showed a clip of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma at Leicester's title celebrations in 2016, with old footage showing Lineker emotional as he watched the performance. Bocelli was among the people leaving a farewell message for Lineker before he was shown playing out the show. Match Of The Day fans share support for Gary Lineker Taking to X, fans of MOTD shared their support for Lineker amid his exit with one saying: "Gary Lineker was the face of football for me growing up. "As a kid being allowed to stay up late to watch Liverpool highlights on Match of the Day was a highlight of the week. "Thank you for 25 years to one of the best to ever do it." Another shared: "Gary Lineker is a good man. I hope he prospers and has good health for the rest of his days". This person said: "Growing up and watching MOTD every weekend a massive part of that was Gary Lineker. "It won't (be) the same without him #MOTD". Near the end of the episode Lineker quipped: 'It had to be Leicester last', following him appearing on Match Of The Day in just his underpants in August 2016, having stuck to a promise to appear half-naked if Leicester won the Premier League. He wore white and blue Leicester shorts for the first 30 minutes of the show then appeared back on screen fully dressed. Leicester is Lineker's boyhood club and he scored 94 goals in 194 matches for the Foxes. Recommended reading: During the episode, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also featured, telling Lineker: 'Thank you for being such a great presenter of a BBC show that I have watched many times when I lived in Holland, and now still. It's great what you did.' The programme was preceded with a montage of Lineker's on-field footballing highlights and an archive clip of him as a presenter saying 'the end of an era' before the regular opening credits and theme tune played. When did Gary Lineker start presenting Match Of The Day? Lineker has presented Match Of The Day since 1999 and has also fronted the BBC's coverage of other major sporting events, including the 2012 London Olympics. He opened the final episode saying: '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.' Match Of The Day is one of the BBC's top-performing programmes and the corporation retains the rights to continue showing Premier League highlights until the end of the 2028-29 season.
STV News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Gary Lineker bids teary goodbye to 'utterly joyous' Match Of The Day
Gary Lineker bid an emotional goodbye as he signed off hosting Match Of The Day after 26 years, saying it had been an 'absolute privilege' and 'utterly joyous' to front the show. The player-turned-pundit's early departure from the broadcaster follows a social media row after the 64-year-old shared a post about Zionism, which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. He presented his final episode alongside fellow pundits, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with whom he also hosts podcast The Rest Is Football, which is produced by his company Goalhanger Podcasts. In his final message, Lineker said: 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It's been an absolute privilege to host Match Of The Day for a quarter of a century. 'It's been utterly joyous.' 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, and Lineker wished the trio 'all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.' 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. He ended his on-air thank you saying: 'And my final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching, thank you for all your love and support over the years. It has been so special, and I am sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.' The former Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton striker wiped away tears after being played a video montage which featured messages from pundits past and present including Richards, Shearer and Scottish pundit Alan Hansen, former footballer Danny Murphy and former Match Of The Day pundit, Ian Wright. In the video montage, Shearer said: 'Gary, you've been a great friend. You are a great friend. You've been amazing to me, and you've been unbelievable to Match Of The Day. So whatever you choose to do on Saturdays, good luck, and we'll miss you.' There were also words from Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri and former team-mates Alan Smith, Paul Gascoigne and Peter Shilton, as well as Lineker's sons George, Harry, Tobias and Angus. They also showed a clip of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma at Leicester's title celebrations in 2016, with old footage showing Lineker emotional as he watched the performance. Bocelli was among the people leaving a farewell message for Lineker before he was shown playing out the show. Near the end of the episode Lineker quipped: 'It had to be Leicester last', following him appearing on Match Of The Day in just his underpants in August 2016, having stuck to a promise to appear half-naked if Leicester won the Premier League. He wore white and blue Leicester shorts for the first 30 minutes of the show, then appeared back on screen fully dressed. Leicester is Lineker's boyhood club, and he scored 94 goals in 194 matches for the Foxes. During the episode, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also featured, telling Lineker: 'Thank you for being such a great presenter of a BBC show that I have watched many times when I lived in Holland, and now still. It's great what you did.' The programme was preceded with a montage of Lineker's on-field footballing highlights, and an archive clip of him as a presenter saying 'the end of an era', before the regular opening credits and theme tune played. Lineker has presented Match Of The Day since 1999 and has also fronted the BBC's coverage of other major sporting events, including the 2012 London Olympics. He opened the final episode saying: '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.' Match Of The Day is one of the BBC's top-performing programmes, and the corporation retains the rights to continue showing Premier League highlights until the end of the 2028-29 season. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
