Gary Lineker has bid an emotional farewell to Match of the Day after 26 years at the helm of the BBC's flagship football programme, with Dan Walker among those to pay tribute.
The 64-year-old former England striker presented his final show on Sunday night, bringing to an end one of the longest-running stints in British sports broadcasting.
Lineker's departure comes in the wake of controversy surrounding a social media post criticising Israel which featured a rat emoji. Though he initially deleted the post and apologised, the incident hastened his exit from the corporation.
The presenter had originally planned to step down from weekly Premier League highlights whilst continuing with FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup, but will now leave the BBC altogether following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Gary Lineker announced he was leaving the BBC after the conclusion of the Premier League season
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Viewers witnessed a poignant moment as Lineker struggled to hold back tears during his final broadcast.
At the conclusion of the programme, he paid tribute to his colleagues who had supported him throughout his tenure.
"Let me take this opportunity to thank all the pundits I've worked with over the years, you've made my job a lot easier," Lineker said in his closing remarks.
With humility, he added: "Rather like my football career everyone else did all the hard work and I got all the plaudits."
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Gary Lineker thanked Match of the Day's fans during an emotional farewell
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The farewell marked the end of an era for British sports television, with Lineker having become synonymous with Saturday night football coverage for more than a quarter of a century.
His final show featured the customary end-of-season highlights package, providing a fitting backdrop to his departure from the programme he has fronted since 1999.
Former BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker joined the chorus of tributes to Lineker, expressing his belief that the programme simply "won't be the same" without its longstanding host.
Walker, who presented Football Focus for 12 years before moving to Channel 5 in 2022, took to social media platform X to share his thoughts on Lineker's departure.
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"Match of the Day won't be the same without Gary Lineker," wrote Walker, who was once considered a potential successor to the role.
"It was always a pleasure to present the show, but it was always Gary's chair. Brilliant career on the pitch matched by a brilliant stint on the biggest football show on the TV."
The heartfelt message from Walker, who worked alongside Lineker during his time at the BBC, underscores the significant impact the departing presenter has had on British sports broadcasting.
Lineker's departure was accelerated following his controversial social media post about Israel that included a rat emoji, which he subsequently deleted.
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Dan Walker claimed Match of the Day 'won't be the same without Gary Lineker'
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In a statement confirming his exit, Lineker acknowledged his error, saying: "As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic it goes against everything I stand for."
He continued: "However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."
BBC Director-General Tim Davie responded to the situation with a brief statement, noting: "Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season."
The incident brought an earlier-than-planned conclusion to Lineker's illustrious broadcasting career with the corporation.
Lineker's tenure at Match of the Day began in 1999 when he took over from Des Lynam, who departed the BBC to join ITV.
For more than a quarter of a century, the former Tottenham Hotspur and England forward became the face of Premier League highlights, establishing himself as one of Britain's most recognisable sports presenters.
The BBC has now confirmed that a trio of presenters will share hosting duties for the iconic programme from next season.
Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will collectively take on the responsibility of filling Lineker's considerable shoes when the 2025/26 season commences.
The new arrangement represents a significant shift for the programme, which has typically been associated with a single primary host throughout its illustrious history.
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