The BBC’s highest paid presenter Gary Lineker bid fond farewell to his internet hosting duties on the flagship soccer highlights present Match of the Day Sunday night.
Lineker, a former England soccer participant, had been presenting the present since 1999, however earlier this yr he introduced he’d be stepping down from the high-profile position after 26 years.
Nonetheless, his departure grew to become controversial every week in the past after the BBC introduced his resignation following a tweet that might be thought of anti-Semitic that Lineker defined he had posted in error.
Sunday night noticed Lineker opening his last present with a cheeky reference to the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding his exit. He informed viewers:
“It wasn’t meant to finish this fashion…” and paused earlier than including: “However with the title race over and the relegation locations confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to speak about.”
In direction of the top of the present, nonetheless, he grew to become emotional as soccer stars and pundits lined as much as pay tribute to his lengthy profitable stint as host.
Wiping his eyes, Lineker mentioned:
Let me thank for all of the folks I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the 25 years. Thanks for all of the folks on the present you don’t see.. Thanks all.
“Somewhat like my soccer profession, everybody else did the onerous work.”
Lineker’s tenure as one of the vital high-profile faces of the BBC had change into more and more wobbly following his suspension in 2023 after one other political tweet. On that event, pundits and commentators walked out in assist of him, and the BBC sports activities schedule was fragmented for a complete weekend. Match of the Day was broadcast with no presenter, no studio pundits or match commentators and diminished in size. On that event, Lineker apologised and returned to the fold, however it was clear his wants to precise himself politically, and the BBC’s want for its largest names to keep up their impartiality, meant a divorce was on the playing cards.
Lineker has been courted by rival sports activities broadcasters within the UK, however for the second says he’ll give attention to his thriving Goalhanger podcast manufacturing firm. It has spawned a few of the nation’s most profitable podcasts, together with one with him on the helm, The Relaxation is Soccer.
