Gary Lineker bade farewell to Match of the Day and his career at the BBC on Sunday night in the only appropriate manner: with a montage.
There were deep breaths, noises off, the checking of notes. There were tears and celebrations. There was Bobby Robson and Johan Cruyff. There were tributes from colleagues, peers, friends and family and an invitation to “go gallivanting” from Gazza.
“You don’t believe it but you will be missed,” said Pep Guardiola.
The 64-year-old largely held it together as he was taken down memory lane and ushered towards the exit door of the BBC’s top sports programme after 26 years of hosting.