Monday marks the end of a broadcasting era with Gary Lineker quitting the BBC after being embroiled in anti-Semitism allegations via social media.
The 64-year-old stepped down from his presenting duties with the corporation after being widely condemned for his now-deleted Instagram video story which featured a pro-Palestine video featuring an anti-Jewish rat slur.
Following backlash from sections of the Jewish community, the Match of the Day presenter insisted he would ‘never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic’.
The former England striker has apologised unreservedly for the ‘mistake’ saying ‘that image does not reflect my views’.
Lineker was due to leave his role as a presenter with the BBC at the end of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
However, his time with the broadcaster will now end with Sunday’s season-ending Match of the Day programme.
Gary Lineker’s long-standing relationship with the BBC will come to an early end on Sunday
He is quitting after being caught up in claims of anti-Semitism on social media – he shared a now-deleted reel on Instagram which originated with pro-Palestine group Palestine Lobby
Among the Nazis’ depictions of Jewish people as rats was this poster produced by Adolf Hitler’s regime during their 1940s occupation of Denmark
An senior insider told MailOnline on Monday that the decision to go early was not Lineker’s. His contract was torn up over the scandal and he leaves without a financial settlement, the source said.
The former England footballer said in a statement: ‘Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
‘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 recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.’
Minutes after the announcement he published his own Instagram video, apologising again and said it was the ‘right time’ for him and the BBC to go their ‘separate ways’.
BBC director general Tim Davie agreed it is the right decision having reportedly lost patience with the BBC’s top-paid presenter.
‘Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season’, he said. ‘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 also shared a video statement on his Instagram account confirming his early departure.
He said it has been ‘a pleasure and a huge privilege’ following the announcement that he will leave the BBC after this weekend’s Match Of The Day.
‘I would like once again to say I’m sorry, unreservedly, for the hurt and upset caused, it was a genuine mistake and oversight, but I should have been more diligent, I know that. I’ve stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all of my life, including, of course, antisemitism, which I absolutely abhor. There’s no place for it and never should be’, he said.
‘So I think it’s best for all concerned that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether and not do next season to FA Cup or World Cup, the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will be my last show. It’s been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for 30 years, especially hosting Match Of The Day, a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life.
‘I’d like to thank all of the quite brilliant, talented and lovely people, both in front and behind the camera that I’ve worked alongside for three decades. You’re the absolute best. The relationship with the BBC has been long and wonderful, but it’s the right time for the organisation and myself to go our separate ways.
‘Thank you also to all of you (fans) for your incredible support and love over so many years. It means the world to me. I’ll see you all on Sunday.’
Despite his impending departure, things are not drying up for Lineker – with his career set to continue in the media.
Speaking last month to Amol Rajan on the BBC, he outlined his plans.
Lineker’s podcast company recorded profits worth £1.4m, its accounts have revealed
‘I think I’ll probably focus more on the podcast world, because it’s such a fun business and it’s just been so incredible,’ he said.
Lineker has a growing influence in podcasting with his empire recording a staggering £1.4million in profit last year.
The former Leicester City and Tottenham forward founded Goalhanger Podcasts in 2019 and the company rapidly established itself as one of the world’s leading podcast producers.
Its series of podcasts including The Rest Is Football, The Rest Is Politics and The Rest Is History regularly tops the charts, raking in millions of listeners.
Assets jumped over the last 12 months with accounts filed at Companies House showing its retained earnings rose from £590,000 in 2023 to £2.03m last year, a £1.4m rise. Cash in the bank also rose from £560,000 to £2.7m.
Lineker himself presents The Rest Is Football, a popular show covering the sport’s biggest talking points, alongside BBC colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Lineker presents The Rest Is Football with BBC pundits Micah Richards (left) and Alan Shearer
He founded the expanding business alongside two partners but holds significant control
Goalhanger’s podcasts regularly top the charts and have amassed millions of listeners
The 64-year-old created the podcast company with former ITV controller Tony Pastor and former BBC executive Jack Davenport, and holds significant control of the firm.
According to the business, its 13 key shows have amassed more than 400m audio downloads and over 85m views on YouTube across 2024.
During Euro 2024, Lineker’s podcast was downloaded 19.6m times.
Goalhanger’s latest accounts also show that the number of employees on its books has increased from seven to 16 over the last financial year.
The Rest Is Politics, hosted by unlikely duo Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, launched in March 2022 and garners millions of listeners.
Meanwhile, The Rest Is History, presented by Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland, has been similarly popular since it began in 2020.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire said, via The Times: ‘These figures are spectacular. Gary Lineker’s eye for a smart business opportunity is as keen as when he was playing football for England and scoring goals.
‘This raft of podcasts run by Goalhanger are now among the most popular in the country and all the parties involved have benefited significantly as a result of that.’
It was revealed last month that the 64-year-old has defected to rivals ITV for a new TV show
He was the first name confirmed for new show The Assembly and will be questioned by a group of people who are autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled
A Goalhanger spokesman said: ‘We’re pleased with the continued growth of Goalhanger and the success of our shows, and we look forward to seeing our network continue to expand.’
Lineker earned over £1.35m from the BBC last year but Sunday will see him present Match of the Day for the final time before bowing out from their football presenting duties following the
It was revealed last month that Lineker has defected to rivals ITV.
He was the first name confirmed for new show The Assembly and will be questioned by a group of people who are autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled.
Each episode will see a different celebrity forced to cast aside everything they were ever taught by their media trainers as they each face their most ‘honest interview’.
Other celebrities such as David Tennant, 54, Danny Dyer, 47, and Jade Thirlwall, 32, have also been confirmed.
The move to ITV could potentially open the doors to working with the broadcaster in a sporting capacity. Lineker had previously expressed his loyalty to the BBC could now explore other opportunities – with overseas networks also potentially showing an interest now he is a free agent.
Mail Sport understands though that a move to Qatari-owned beIN SPORTS, home to Richard Keys and Andy Gray after they left Sky amid a sexism furore, is unlikely though.
As revealed back in 2022 Lineker, who was an outspoken critic of the Qatar World Cup, had previously pocketed £1.6m while working for the Gulf state’s sports broadcaster.
He is known to have enraged bosses when he then gave a ‘virtue signalling’ monologue ahead of the opening match – singling out the host’s record on migrant workers and immigration.
