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Gary Lineker's tenure as the frontman of the iconic Match of the Day is set to end after a remarkable near-26-year streak, sparking a flurry of questions.
As the clock ticks down to his departure next year, it spells a bittersweet moment not just for viewers but also for Lineker, who stands to lose a lucrative income that most can merely imagine.
It emerged that Lineker has bagged between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 over the past year. This staggering sum cements his status as the broadcaster's top-paid on-screen personality for an unbroken seventh term.
By comparison, his closest rival in earnings, Zoe Ball, trails with nearly half a million less at £950,000 to £954,999.
The show's popularity justifies such eye-watering figures; in an Instagram update last November, Lineker shared that it pulls in "amazing" ratings, commanding a strong four million viewers per episode across both TV and iPlayer. It's no surprise then that BBC swiftly confirmed the show's extension up until 2029, reports the Mirror.
Gary Lineker is the longest-serving presenter of football highlights programme Match Of The Day (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Lineker will step away from his longstanding role, making guest appearances solely during the FA and Men's 2026 World Cup. As detailed by BBC Breakfast, unsuccessful contract talks with BBC Sport's new chief, Alex Kay-Jelski, meant that Lineker was left without an offer to stay on.
The Sun reported that Lineker is set to take a pay cut due to stepping back from MOTD, as they claimed he is to be on new terms, which will see his salary reduced significantly. Stand alone payments for the World Cup and FA Cups won’t compensate for this financially.
Mark Chapman is a popular choice to take over from Lineker (Image: PA)
Speculation is rife among fans over who will step into his shoes. On social media, one supporter hopes Mark Chapman lands the role, another advocates for Jeff Stelling as the "best bloke for the job," while many believe Alex Scott could be leading the race.
The BBC remains tight-lipped about who will step into Lineker's shoes, but Chapman, aged 51, is currently leading the race with odds of six to four from Ladbrokes. His front-runner status is likely attributed to his role as host of Match of the Day 2 and his established presence on Sky Sports, where he presents Carabao Cup games and Champions League highlights.
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Alex Scott is another possible replacement (Image: Getty Images)
Yet, former Lioness Scott, 40, is also in the running and could bring a dynamic change to the programme as potentially its first female full-time host. Already a stand-in for Lineker, she's no stranger to the show's audience.
Alternatively, the BBC might opt for a rotating cast of hosts, with The Sun revealing plans that include Chapman in this mix. An insider disclosed to the publication: "BBC execs will be giving Match of the Day a reboot to keep it fresh in the wake of such a huge departure."
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