Gary Lineker reflects on BBC exit with humour
Gary Lineker has commented on his departure from the BBC, light-heartedly stating that life after *Match of the Day* has led to “more awards than ever” and joking that he “should have left 10 years ago,” during an episode of his podcast, *The Rest is Football*, reports BritPanorama.
The 64-year-old presenter stepped down from his role in May after a notable 26-year tenure as the face of MOTD. Despite leaving behind the iconic show, he remains active in broadcasting, dedicating his efforts to the podcast, which he co-hosts with former colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
In their recent episode, the trio celebrated winning the Podcast of the Year award at the Broadcast Sports Awards, an achievement Lineker couldn’t resist highlighting. “Since I quit the BBC… or since I finished with the BBC is probably a better way of describing it, I’ve won more awards than in my life!” he quipped, eliciting laughter from his co-hosts.
While it was initially planned for the 2024–25 season to be his last with a farewell expected at the 2026 World Cup, Lineker’s departure was hastened by controversy surrounding his social media activity. Despite this, he has not left the public eye; reports suggest that *The Rest is Football* will be distributed by Netflix, ensuring its availability leading into the World Cup.
Although Lineker was the BBC’s highest-paid star, earning £1.35 million annually, the programme has since relied on various hosts including Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan, and Mark Chapman. In the meantime, England’s national team has marked a successful qualification campaign for the upcoming World Cup, boasting eight consecutive victories.
This situation serves as a reminder of how closely intertwined personal journeys and major sporting events can be, as Lineker finds new avenues for success amid significant change.
