‘I never enjoyed presenting it,’ says Gary Lineker as he reveals it was his decision to leave show before BBC exit
GARY LINEKER has revealed he “never really enjoyed” presenting one iconic show during his time at the BBC.
The former England striker stepped away from his hosting roles on Match of the Day and Sports Personality of the Year last month.
Lineker announced he would leave the MOTD hot seat after 25 years.
He will stay with the Beeb to front coverage of next season’s FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup.
The 64-year-old also quit his hosting duties on SPOTY, which he had fronted for the past 23 editions.
Lineker claims his decision was based on the ceremony being moved to an independent production company.
And he dropped the bombshell that he had never really been comfortable hosting the iconic awards.
Speaking in front of a live audience for podcast The Rest is Football, Lineker said: “Just to make it clear, what happened with Sports Personality of the Year is that it went to an independent production company.
“It was granted at the start of the year. Now, I saw that as an opportunity to get out of presenting Sports Personality.
“It’s a great show, but it’s the one TV gig that I never really enjoyed.”
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Lineker added his former colleague Des Lynam “shared” the sentiment.
He continued: “It’s a very strange show to do.
“Also, it’s the one thing where every single word that you say on it has to be agreed by all parties at the BBC.
“Every single interview you do, you have to say what questions you’re going to ask. I mean, I like to ad-lib, I like to go off-piste.”
This year’s edition of SPOTY was won by Olympic hero Keely Hodgkinson and featured an all-female presenting lineup for the first time.
Lineker admitted he had not watched the ceremony – but added Hodgkinson “deservedly” took the top gong.
The ex-England star will continue to present podcasts the Match of the Day: Top 10 and The Rest of Football on BBC Sounds.
In a statement released on November 12, he said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
Meet ‘new Match of the Day host’ Kelly Cates, daughter of a Liverpool icon
KELLY CATES is reportedly set to quit Sky Sports and move to the BBC.
The 49-year-old, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman will reportedly share hosting duties of Match of the Day and MOTD 2 next season, when Gary Lineker stands down.
Cates has worked for the BBC on and off since 2013, for Radio 5 Live. She presented iconic fan phone-in show 606 alongside Ian Wright on Sunday’s between 2013 and 2018.
After joining Sky Sports her role was reduced, but Cates returned to host midweek sports show, 5 Live Sport, mostly on Tuesday’s, while she also provided coverage of the 2022 World Cup.
The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish became a TV presenter at Sky Sports, working on several Premier League shows including Friday Night Live.
Two weeks after the news he was leaving MOTD broke, Lineker’s newest project with Baller League UK was revealed.
The six-a-side spectacular has been a success in Germany – where it was set up by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski – and now makes its way to these shores.
Lineker – alongside his MOTD pals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer – will take charge of a team, as will Arsenal Invincibles Freddie Ljungberg, Jens Lehmann and Robert Pires.