Gary Lineker, one of the most recognisable faces in British broadcasting, is set to part ways with the BBC, marking the end of a defining era in sports presentation. A formal announcement is anticipated on Monday, with Lineker expected to present his final Match of the Day next weekend.
Sources close to the matter suggest the 64-year-old, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, will also step down from covering major tournaments, including the 2026 World Cup. The decision, long in the making, now appears to be precipitated by recent events that have again tested the boundaries between public broadcasting impartiality and personal expression.