GARY LINEKER STEPS DOWN FROM BBC's SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Gary Lineker has stepped down as co-host of the BBC's annual Sports Personality Of The Year awards, the broadcast has confirmed.

The BBC told Broadcast: "We can confirm Gary has decided to step down from the team presenting BBC Sports Personality of the Year. After 23 years last year’s 70th anniversary was his final show."

The outlet reports tat the decision was made earlier this year and was not connected to Lineker's contract renegotiations. Announced this week, the BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup.

Gary will lead the coverage of the tournament, as England once again try to land a first major trophy since 1966, the other Home Nations look to qualify and Lionel Messi aims to retain the trophy he won with Argentina. Gary will also host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025/26 season, 35 years on from lifting the trophy as a player.

After a quarter of a century, Gary is stepping down from hosting Match of The Day at the end of this season. He will continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast and the BBC will also host the hugely popular The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

Gary Lineker says: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, says: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup.

“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.”

With 33 million viewers last season across the Premier League and FA Cup, Match of the Day remains part of the staple diet of football fans who still get a huge buzz from hearing that iconic theme tune on a Saturday night.

The show continually evolves for changing viewing habits bringing it’s unique and unmatched analysis and commentary across all platforms. Future plans for Match of the Day will be announced in due course.