They think it’s all over — it is now. Gary Lineker will leave the BBC after 30 years this weekend.
The BBC’s highest-paid presenter, earning £1.35M ($1.8M), will exit after he presents his final Match of the Day highlights show on Sunday — a year earlier than planned.
Lineker’s abrupt departure follows him sharing a now-deleted Instagram video from the Palestine Lobby account that overlaid a cartoon rat emoji on top of an explainer about the Israel-Gaza war and Zionism. Rats have historically been used as an antisemitic trope.
Lineker apologized for the post, but his position was considered untenable following a string of controversies about his social media use, which have called into question the BBC’s impartiality.
BBC director general Tim Davie said: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.
“Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”
Lineker added: “I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognize the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
The BBC had previously agreed that Lineker would exit Match of Day, the Premier League highlights show, but continue to present coverage of the FA Cup and 2026 FIFA World Cup. This plan has now been scrapped. He hosted the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup final on Saturday, which is set to be his final live event for the corporation.
Lineker “apologised unreservedly” for the Instagram post featuring the rat. “On Instagram, I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references,” he said. “I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.”
Asked about the matter last week, Davie, the BBC director general, was unambiguous: “The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone, and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. We absolutely need people to be exemplars of the BBC values and follow our social media policy. Simple as that.”
Lineker has presented Match of the Day for 25 years and has been the BBC’s highest-paid presenter for the past seven years. He is highly regarded by BBC management and well-liked by audiences, but his relationship with the corporation has become fractious over his use of social media in recent years.
Lineker has grown his business interests outside of the BBC, most notably through Goalhanger Podcasts, which makes table-topping shows such as The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Entertainment.
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