Gary Lineker steps down from another BBC presenting job with immediate effect after Match of the Day bombshell

Lineker’s time as Match of the Day presenter will end after 26 years when the current Premier League season finishes, with the former England striker parting ways with the BBC completely in 2026, despite his reported offer to take a huge pay cut to stay on.

• Getty Images Sport

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Lineker has headed much of the BBC’s sports coverage in recent years, including the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, but he will not be involved in this year’s show.

  WHAT BBC SAID

  “We can confirm Gary has decided to step down from the team presenting BBC Sports Personality Of The Year,” a BBC spokesperson told The Sun. “After 23 years, last year’s 70th anniversary was his final show.”

  WHAT NEXT FOR LINEKER?

  Lineker will stay on as the host of the BBC’s FA Cup coverage throughout the 2025-26 campaign and will then stay on for the 2026 World Cup before his contract ends.