Gary Lineker is set to leave BBC this summer after hosting the flagship football programme Match of the Day for 26 years.
The 64-year-old football presenter announced his departure following a controversial row over his social media use, which involved antisemitism accusations.
The former England striker has been the face of the show since 1999, but appears ready to embrace life after Match of the Day, expressing confidence that he'll adjust well to no longer being in the presenter's chair each Saturday night.
Speaking to the Beyond The Title podcast, Lineker revealed he won't miss presenting the iconic football show: "No, and I know that sounds strange, but I've never really missed things.
Gary Lineker said he will not miss Match of the Day on the Beyond the Title podcast
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"I didn't miss playing after I finished. It felt like that part of my life was over."
The presenter described a similar experience with golf, which he became "obsessed with" before injuries forced him to stop.
He continued: "I thought I'd miss it, but I didn't at all. I absolutely loved doing it for all that time but I know me and once it's finished, I'll still watch it."
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Gary Lineker presented his final live match for the BBC at the weekend
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Lineker is particularly enthusiastic about having free weekends for the first time in his adult life.
"Do you know what I'm looking forward to? I haven't really had weekends in my life as an adult. I've always played football at the weekends and now broadcast football at the weekend."
The presenter expressed excitement about new social opportunities, adding: "So I'm looking forward to a few Saturday nights, going out for dinner and things like that."
After decades of football commitments, first as a player and then as a broadcaster, Lineker appears ready to embrace a different lifestyle away from the constraints of weekly television appearances.
Lineker's comments come after the Metropolitan Police confirmed they have received "a number of reports from members of the public" relating to his controversial social media post published on social media on May 12.
The reports are currently being assessed to determine what, if any, further action is taken.
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Gary Lineker is looking forward to having weekends off after he leaves the BBC
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Meanwhile, BBC insiders have suggested that staff at the corporation feel a sense of relief about Lineker's impending departure.
"There's a feeling of relief," one staff member revealed. "We're subject to strict rules on what we can and can't say and there was a feeling Gary could do what he wanted."
The source added that colleagues had grown weary of the uncertainty surrounding Lineker's social media activity, stating: "Now nobody will have to brace themselves for what he posts next."
This sentiment appears to reflect frustration over perceived double standards regarding the BBC's social media guidelines for its presenters and staff.
