Gary Lineker quits BBC live - MOTD host's reason for exit with announcement due
The former England striker has been Match of the Day's longest-serving presenter, having first anchored the highlights show in 1999. He had been due to take charge of his final episode of the show on the final day of the current Premier League season, though he had signed a contract extension to continue working on live football coverage.
Lineker, who hosted FA Cup final coverage on Saturday, was due to be the face of the BBC's coverage of the competition next season. He had been due to keep going until after the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The offending post, which Lineker deleted, saw him share a post criticising Israel's actions in Gaza. The post included a rat emoji, which has been described as "egregious" by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and brought accusations of antisemitism against the ex-footballer.
A statement from Lineker himself is expected later today. In the meantime, Mirror Football will have the latest updates from the story right here...
'Gary accepted his position at the BBC was untenable and he will not be hosting next year's World Cup," a source told The Mirror.
'He offered to step down at the end of the season and did not want the BBC – an organisation he still holds in the highest of esteem – dragged into any further controversy.
'He remains devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted.
'His last Match of the Day will air on Sunday now and he won't be back.
"Gary will continue to speak out about issues that he believes to be wrong.
'He will be able to comment freely without the shackles of the nonpartisan BBC and has already had a lot of TV offers to mull over. And, of course, he will be cheering on England like any other fan next summer.'
Hello and welcome to Mirror Football's live coverage of Gary Lineker's BBC exit.
The Match of the Day host is expected to issue an announcement on his future later today.
The upshot is he is not expected to remain with the broadcaster for its coverage of the 2026 World Cup next summer.
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Scottish Sun
6 minutes ago
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He also did a sold-out nationwide tour last year. But the man who was the highest-grossing stand-up comic in the world in 2012 has made a huge amount by setting up his own production firm, Hungry McBear, with TV producer pal Dan Baldwin. The Wheel and Michael McIntyre's Big Show are the firm's golden gooses. And by our estimates, they will have helped Michael rake in more than £3million in profit last year. £3,702,235 RICHARD became a BBC name as the creator and co-host of popular quiz Pointless, then continued his success with House Of Games. But he has also presented everything from Have I Got News For You to The One Show. Aside from his Beeb work, Richard's wealth comes from his bestseller Thursday Murder Club novels and podcasts. It all adds up to a profit of £2,7million last year. JOOLS HOLLAND £3,333,446 THE accounts for Jools' firm do not show a reserve figure, but his profits are strong. He has been at the heart of the BBC's music shows since 1992 when Later . . . 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Daily Mail
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